Joel Keith Smith Sr.

Joel Keith Smith Sr., age 62, of North Vernon, Indiana, and the son of the late Howard and Judy Ann (Morris) Smith, was born on Thursday, March 8, 1962, in Hamilton, Ohio. On September 24, 1985, he was honorably discharged from the United States Army after faithfully serving his country for three years. For almost twenty years, he worked at Delta Faucet and then became a surveyor for Duke Energy. He was also the head groundskeeper for Whitewater Christian Camp for five years where he lived on-site, took care of all the maintenance needs, and even served as Dean of a week of camp.

Joel served as the preacher at Dillsboro Christian Church for a period of time, and was a devoted elder at the Versailles Church of Christ for many years. On August 3, 2024, he was united in marriage to Jamie Lynn Smith at the Waynesville Baptist Church. In his spare time, he enjoyed fishing, watching the Cincinnati Bengals and old westerns on television, but most importantly, spending time with his family. He was a very special, loving, and selfless man who would do anything for anyone if he could. Mr. Smith passed away on Monday, September 16, 2024 at his residence in North Vernon with his loving family by his side.

His life will be cherished by his wife, Jamie of North Vernon; his children: Amanda Franklin and her husband, Adam of Holton, Indiana, and Joel Smith, Jr. and his wife, Taylor of Greensburg, Indiana; his step-children: Eli Heath of North Vernon and Preston Heath of Westport, Indiana; his grandchildren: Cheyanne, Maxwell, Elijah and Jackson; his sister: Lisa Frazier and her husband, Myrel of Shelbyville, Indiana; his brothers: Dean Smith and Steve Smith, both of Hamilton, Ohio; his half-sister: Jennifer Welch of West Harrison, Ohio; his step siblings: Lori, Lynn, Lisa Kay, and Nelson; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Sue Smith; his brother: John Edgar Smith; and his sister-in-law: Pam Smith.

Pastor Micah Stephen will conduct funeral services at 11:30 AM Friday September 20, 2024 at Lytle Welty Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Vail Chapel, on Madison’s hilltop with interment to follow in the Indiana Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Madison. Friends and family may visit at Lytle Welty Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Vail Chapel from 9:30 AM until the time of the service on Friday.

The United States Army and the Major Samuel Woodfill Post #9, American Legion will provide military honors at the cemetery.

The family requests memorial contributions be made to the Whitewater Christian Camp. Contributions may be made at the Lytle Welty Funeral Home or at lytlewelty.com