Geneva Margaret Buechler Smith

Geneva Margaret Buechler Smith, age 93, died peacefully on February 24, 2013 in her beloved home in Starlight, Indiana, surrounded by her children. Born on June 29, 1919, in Harrison County, Indiana, Geneva was the daughter of John Buechler and Anna Keisler Buechler. On September 17, 1940, Geneva married Callistus J. Smith. Together they founded the Callistus Smith Agency, a family insurance agency in Floyds Knobs which just celebrated its 65th year of operation. Geneva thoroughly enjoyed working there and did so through the end of December 2012. Geneva was an active member of St. John’s Starlight Catholic Church since 1940 where she served in many capacities through the decades. She provided her extended family of 90+ with wonderful fried chicken and home-cooked meals at Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Without her, holidays and birthdays will never be the same.

Geneva was predeceased by her husband Callistus J. Smith and sons Ivan & C.J. Smith. She is survived by her sister Valeria Daus and brother Herman Buechler; eight children: Ann Jeanette (Jim) Baker, Donald (Kathy) Smith, Kenny (Pat) Smith, Charlotte (Steve) Mooney, Evelyn (Mike) Heiligenberg, Nancy (John Abel) Smith, Glenn (Dawn) Smith, and Brenda (Mark) Falkenstein; daughter-in-law, Judy Kocka; 24 grandchildren; 42 (soon to be 44) great-grandchildren; and 7 great-great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm Friday and from 8:30 am to 10:00 am Saturday at Kraft Funeral Service, 708 E. Spring Street, New Albany, IN. There will be a Rosary Service at 11:00 am Friday and Sharing of Memories at 7:00 pm Friday at the funeral home. Her Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 am Saturday at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Starlight, IN with burial to follow in the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the C.J. Smith Memorial Foundation, Hosparus of Southern Indiana or the American Heart Association.

Online condolences may be made to www.kraftfuneralservice.net