Keith Eugene Smith of Punta Gorda, Florida formerly of Clinton County Indiana, went to be with his Savior on January 6th after a lengthy illness. He was born on December 8, 1947, in Frankfort, Indiana to Charles E. Smith and Olivana Hoffman Smith. As a child he attended 1st Baptist Church in Frankfort. He married Becky Smith on December 8, 1973, also at the 1st Baptist Church and she survives.
Keith shared that he was highly blessed to be a male child on a working farm. He was taught and trained by a loving father. Keith was educated in a rural elementary school. High school was in a lovingly staffed high school, Clinton Central, graduating in 1965. His undergraduate degree was from Murray State University where he was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. He earned two master’s degrees, one at Indiana University the other from Indiana Wesleyan. Keith proudly served in the military during the Vietnam era stationed in Germany, a country he came to love and revisited several times. He worked as a lineman for AT&T and at Indiana Bell as a repair technician, supervisor and engineer. Upon retiring he returned to working as maintenance supervisor for Frankfort Middle School. He lived most of his life in Clinton County until moving to Punta Gorda, Florida in 2019.
Keith is survived by his wife of 52 years, 3 great children: Bryan, Leisa and Scot. Together they enjoyed many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Also survived by siblings, Norman (Jean) Smith, Charlotte (Gary) Rhine, Sheila (late Darrell) Kingery and Kevin (Libbi) Smith, and sister-in-law, Gwen (late Ronnie) Smith.
Keith was preceded in death by his parents and brother Ronnie Smith.
A memorial service will be held on April 12 at Mulberry United Methodist Church 206 Jefferson Rd, Mulberry, IN 46058 with visitation from 1p-2p and service beginning at 2:00p.m. Pastor Norman Smith and Pastor Kevin Smith will officiate. Memorials may be made to Mulberry United Methodist Church.