Melba J Smith

Melba J. Smith, 94, of Avon, passed away December 26, 2016. She was born September 6, 1922, to the late George and Goldie (Cruser) Wippel, in Indianapolis, IN She had a brother Norman Wippel. She was a graduate of Ben Davis High School and a member of the Lynhurst Baptist Church. After graduation she worked for Maplehurst for 2 years and then 7 years at Eli Lilly Co. She and her late husband Robert E. Smith owned and operated the Bob Smith Hardware Store from 1947-51, and later developed the Hi-40 Mobile Home Park from 1954-61. Bob and Melba established Bob Smith Realty, a real estate brokerage firm specializing in residential, commercial, farm and appraisal services for the next 32 years until retiring in 1993. Melba is survived by a son, Gary R. (Judi) Smith; a daughter, Robin J. (Joe) Saddler; a grandson, Matthew J. Saddler; a step-grandson, Nick (Sara) Kraft; and three step-great grandchildren, Taylor, Cameron and Kendall Kraft. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 8:00 pm on Thursday, December 29, 2016 in the Hampton-Gentry Funeral Home, Plainfield. Funeral services will be at 11:00 am on Friday, December 30 in the funeral home. Burial will follow in Maple Hill Cemetery, Plainfield. Contributions may be made to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation (AMDF) or the National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF). Online condolences may be sent to http://www.hamptongentry.com/