Gretta J. (Rioth) Smith
Last Updated on February 13, 2025 by Cass County Communication Network
Gretta J Smith, 95, went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on February 10, 2025, at 1:05 a.m. at Ascension St Vincent Hospital, Kokomo. Born November 30, 1929, in Howard County, she was the youngest daughter of Frank Ernest and Bertha May (Weaver) Rioth. On June 24, 1950, in Kokomo, Indiana, she married Donald Calvin Smith. He preceded her in death on December 29, 2013. They had lived in Galveston, Indiana since 1956.
Gretta graduated from Howard Township High School in 1947. She started working at Indiana Bell Telephone Company in 1947 and retired in 1979. Following her retirement, she and her late husband had an antique business for over twenty years. She was an active member of United in Faith Church of Galveston and a former long-time member of Faith United Methodist Church, Kokomo and a member of Telephone Pioneers. Gretta enjoyed reading, gardening and watching NASCAR. For many years she was known as the popcorn ball lady in Galveston, because she gave her homemade popcorn balls at Halloween for many years. She loved being with family and friends.
She is survived by a daughter, Debra L (Edward) Beheler of Kokomo; a son, Steven R (Lauri) Smith of Tipton. Grandchildren, Edward (Julie) Beheler; April Weaver; Brandon (Cambria) Smith; Amber (Sean) Kelly; Clinton (Katherine) Smith; and Andrew Smith. great-grandchildren are Anna (Adam Chesak), Lance and Trip Beheler; Lorraine and Owen Weaver; June and Aila Smith and their expected brother; Violet and Ezra Kelly; and Sawyer and Magnolia Smith.
She was preceded in death by her husband Donald C Smith and son, Jeffery D Smith; Five sisters and four brothers-in-law Mildred (Ted) Ellerbrook, Maxine Rioth, Kathleen (Burl) Farris, Alma (Gerold) Ulerick and Martha (Robert) Becker.
A celebration of life will be held at United in Faith Church on Saturday, February 15, 2025, with Pastor Bruce Coats. Visitation will take place from 11:00 a.m. until service time at 1:00 p.m. at the church. Burial will follow at Galveston Cemetery. Arrangements by Murray Weaver Funeral Home, Galveston.
Memorial gifts may be given to United in Faith Church.
The family would like to thank the staff at Ascension St. Vincent Hospital for their care of our mother and grandmother, especially those in ICU and the fourth-floor staff with special recognition to nurses Paula and Lawrence and Dr. Jack Shamoun and Dr. Alex Facista. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.murrayweaverfuneralhome.com