Carolyn Mae Smith

Carolyn Mae (Neutz) Smith, age 91, of Fremont, Indiana, went home to be with her Lord on Sunday, November 23, 2025, at Parkview Hospital Randallia in Fort Wayne. A lifelong resident of Fremont, Carolyn was born on January 25, 1934, to Charles and Lydia (Shaull) Neutz.

Carolyn graduated from Fremont High School in 1950. On November 17, 1951, she married the love of her life, Hershel D. Smith, in Fremont Indiana where they shared 67 years of devotion, faith, and family until his passing in 2018.

Carolyn worked for RR Donnelley (Moore Business Forms) for 38 years, retiring in 1994. But above any job or hobby, her greatest joy — and her truest calling — was loving people, including her family. Carolyn had a gift for remembering every name, birthday, and story down through the generations. She knew and cherished every child, every grandchild, every great-grandchild, and even every great-great-grandchild, and she never missed a chance to pray for each one by name. She made people feel known and loved.

Carolyn was a faithful and active member of Fremont Community Church, where she helped begin a thriving ministry that she served for decades. She joyfully worked in the food pantry, taught Sunday School, supported church families, and ministries in prayer and lived out her faith generously. Her love for worship also shone brightly through her singing — recording countless songs through online karaoke simply because it made her happy to praise the Lord.

Carolyn is survived by her children: Cathy (Tim) Rothrock of Fremont, Indiana, Carl (Christine) Smith of Penn Valley, California, Crystal Jones of Clare, Michigan, Cheryl (Max) Delacruz of Pleasant Lake, Indiana and Hershel (Chip) and (Josie) Smith of Quincy, Michigan. 13 Grandchildren: Pamela Ringler, Chris Book, Jason (Jennifer) Book, Jeffrey Book, Gina (Kalin Jenkins) Smith, Jenny (Mick) Leggitt, Brian (Ashley) Oliver, Colleen (Justin Breveard) Fair, Hunter Daniel Smith, Nicole (Jarad) Headley, Vicenta (Gerald) Armfield and Megan (Kurt) Kline and Max Delacruz, Jr.,Twenty-five great-grandchildren, Ten great-great- grandchildren, a brother, George (Judy) Neutz of Coldwater, Michigan, a brother-in-law, Cecil Creager (Paula) of Fremont, Indiana and a sister-in-law, Ina Mae Smith Stroh of Ocala, Florida.

She was preceded in death by, 3 sisters, Marilyn June Neutz, Yvonne Alcantra and Paula Creager, a grandson, Hunter David Smith, great-grandson, Collin Book, son-in-law, John Jones, grandson-in-law, Tony Ringler, sister-in-law, Bertha Laughlin and five brothers-in-law, Emmett, Don, Clifton “Kim”, Robert and Arthur Smith.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2 pm Sunday, January 25, 2026 at Fremont Community Church, 601 Coldwater Street, Fremont, Indiana. Pastor Josh Hawkins will officiate.

Memorial contributions in her memory may be directed to the Fremont Community Church, P.O. Box 970, Fremont, Indiana 46737.