Francis “Wayne” Smith

Francis “Wayne” Smith, age 88, of Georgetown, Indiana, passed away on Saturday, December 3, 2022.  Wayne was born on June 27, 1934, in Versailles, Indiana to the late Walter E. and Sylvia (Cole) Smith.  He was baptized on September 13, 1936.  Wayne was a graduate of Indiana University and a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity.  

He received a commission as 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army and attained a rank of first Lieutenant while serving in Korea.  Wayne was the owner and operator of a Ben Franklin Variety store in Milan, Indiana for 31 years as well as the Ben Franklin Crafts store in New Albany, Indiana for 12 years.

Wayne was very involved in community service including coaching Little League and Jay Cees, Lions as well as serving on several boards and councils such as the St. Paul Lutheran Church council, Batesville Margaret Mary Community Hospital Board, the Mental Health Board in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, and the Milan Indiana Investment Club. Wayne was a member and elder of the Grace Lutheran Church in New Albany, Indiana, where he served as a board member and on the council. He was also a member of the American Legion Post 235 in Milan, Indiana.
 
Wayne is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Patsy Jo “Pat”(Busteed) Smith; children, Dane Alan Smith (Diann), Kristi Jo Smith Kramer (Mitch), Theodore Andrew Smith (Laura), and Jeffrey Wayne Smith (Kristy); 8 grandchildren, Ashley Marie Kinnard (Jeremy), Tyler Joseph Smith (Hannah), David Wayne Kramer, Ryan Charles Smith (Aireca), Kelli Jo Kramer (Michael), Logan Patrick Smith (Remington), Rylie Nicole Smith, and Luke Jaxon Smith; and great-grandchildren, Owen Rich Smith, and Emmitt Hayes Smith. 

A visitation for Wayne will be held Thursday, December 8, 2022, from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Kraft Funeral Service, 708 E. Spring Street, New Albany, Indiana, and on December 9, 2022, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Grace Lutheran Church, 1787 Klerner Lane, New Albany, Indiana, 47150.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, December 9, 2022 at 11:00 AM at Grace Lutheran Church, 1787 Klerner Lane, New Albany 47150 with burial to follow in St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery “Stumpke Corner”, 7124 North State Road 101, Milan, Indiana, 47031.

Donations in Wayne’s memory may be made to the Grace Lutheran Church of New Albany or to St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery in Milan, Indiana.  Addresses listed with services. 

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.kraftfuneralservice.net for the Smith family