Barbara Ellen Smith

Barbara was born December 21, 1933, in Greencastle to Harry and Mesia Giltz.

She was a wonderful mother and grandmother. She was always there for everyone.

Barbara was a very talented landscape artist. Her paintings were always entered at the Putnam County fair. She gave painting lessons at the Greencastle Senior Center.

Barbara and her husband Jim Smith, who passed away on October 26, 1992, after 41 years of marriage, loved music and dancing. They were great dancers, and their friends would call them Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. They and their friends gave dance lessons at their home.

Barbara loved to travel. She and Jim took their daughters camping and traveling all over the United States to see and enjoy the beautiful natural and historic sites here in America.

Barbara was a member of Sherwood Christian Church, Kappa Delta Phi sorority, Eastern Star, and Greencastle Elks.

Barbara worked at the DePauw University Administration Office until she retired.

Survivors include her daughters Paula Sutherlin and Michelle Adams; grandchildren Tracy Williams, Thomas Gorham, Sydney Wheeler, and Drew Evens; great grandchildren Payton (Williams) Cook & husband Kyle, Gavin, Logan & Anikan Gorham, Atticus Wheeler, Evalynn Leacock, and Emberleigh Evens; great-great grandchildren Henry & Case Cook.

She was preceded in death by her parents; beloved husband James N. Smith; siblings Max Giltz & Norma Merrick; grandson Jake Holley; and beloved niece Carol Glitz.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at the Hopkins-Rector Funeral Home. Interment will follow at the Brick Chapel Cemetery.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday at the funeral home from 12 noon until time of services.

Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Barbara to the Humane Society of Putnam County or the Alzheimer's Assn.

Barbara’s family would like to thank Asbury Towers and its employees for all the care and love they gave her.