Joan M. Smith

Joan Marie "Sorg" Smith met her Heavenly Father on July 17, 2025, at the age of 100. Born in Hoagland, Indiana, on October 11, 1924, she was the second of seven children. After graduating high school in 1942, she married Bill Smith on August 30, 1944, and joined him on the family farm, where they worked side by side farming and raising their children.

Joan had an unwavering faith, her life was not easy, but her positive attitude and acceptance of God's will sustained her strength. She lost twin daughters at birth in 1956, and her oldest son, Steve, was killed in Vietnam in 1970. Widowed at 48 when her husband, Bill, suffered a heart attack, Joan remained self-sufficient. She returned to school, acquired new skills, and worked for the medical offices of Diller, Johnson, and Adams until the age of 72.

Joan was an active member of the Fort Wayne chapter of Sweet Adelines, where she designed and sewed the apparel for their performances, earning praise for her creativity. She enjoyed singing in the church and Monroeville Community Choirs. As a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, she served as Chaplain. Joan loved volunteering at community events, often baking pies or dedicating her time to others. With her siblings, friends, and family, she traveled extensively. Her long life and agility were attributed to many years of dancing.

She is survived by her four children: daughter Becky Kranz, son Greg Smith (Kim), daughter Beth Rahko (Dr. Peter), and son Jeff Smith (Lana); her sister, Ruth Ann Lothamer; sisters-in-law, Theresa and Marilyn Sorg; seven grandchildren: Matthew, Marcus, and Micah Kranz, Nicole and Jay Smith, and Steve and Bill Rahko; and ten great-grandchildren, to whom she extended her loving care.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Rose de Lima Catholic Church in Monroeville, Indiana, on Friday, July 25 at 10:30 AM, followed by burial at the Catholic Cemetery with Father Dennis DiBenedetto presiding. Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 24, from 3:00–7:00 PM at Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home, Jacobs Chapel in Monroeville, Indiana. A Rosary service will be prayed at 2:30 PM Thursday at the funeral home.

The family wishes to thank Homestead at Town Center in Van Wert, Ohio, for providing outstanding, compassionate care and the loving friends who supported and contributed to Joan's happiness. Due to allergies in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Rose Church Restoration Fund or St Rose School, Monroeville, Indiana, or American Legion Post 420, Monroeville.

We were blessed to have Mom for as long as we did. She had an extraordinary influence on our lives and will remain in our hearts and thoughts forever. We are so glad she was our mom.

Arrangements by Zwick & Jahn Funeral Homes, Jacobs Chapel of Monroeville, Indiana