Janice Mae Hoff Smith, 93, North Manchester, passed away on April 13, 2023, at Timbercrest Healthcare Center in North Manchester. An only child, Janice was born in Milledgeville, Illinois, on December 12, 1929, to Harold A. and Mabel Lydia (Price) Hoff.
Jan called Illinois home for the majority of her life. She was raised in Mount Morris, Illinois, while her father was the superintendent of schools in the district. Jan graduated from Mount Morris High School in 1947 and earned a bachelor’s degree in health and physical education from Manchester College in 1951. During her time at Manchester College, Jan met W. Dwight Smith, and the two wed after graduation on June 3, 1951, in Mount Morris. For the next year they called Chicago home while Dwight studied at Bethany Seminary. During their marriage, Jan and Dwight were blessed with a son, Jeff.
Over the next several years, Dwight’s job took the family to Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, and back to Illinois. During those times, Jan taught school for a short time and assisted her husband in the churches he served. She also played organ at a few of the churches where Dwight ministered. Jan did a lot of accompanying on the piano in high school, college, and also at church. She found this to be very rewarding. In Jan’s later years, the family moved to Sebring, Florida, where they resided for seventeen years. Jan enjoyed her time relaxing there by playing golf and caring for her parents. As a hobby, Jan and Dwight also upholstered furniture for others. They moved to North Manchester in 2000 to be near Dwight’s family before he passed away on December 14, 2009.
The loving memory of Janice Mae Hoff Smith will be forever cherished by her son, Jeff (Maureen) Smith, Warsaw; grandson, William Sean (fiancé, Amanda Ousley) Smith, Macy; and great-grandson, Mathis Ousley. Jan was preceded in death by her parents and husband of fifty-eight years, W. Dwight Smith.
Family and friends may call Wednesday, April 19, 2023 from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. at Timbercrest Chapel, 2201 East Street, North Manchester, Indiana. Funeral services for Jan will begin at the conclusion of calling with Pastor Kurt Borgmann officiating. Burial will be at Oaklawn Cemetery, 600 Beckley Street, North Manchester, Indiana.
For those who wish to honor the memory of Jan Smith, memorial contributions may be made to Heifer International, 1 World Avenue, Little Rock, Arkansas 72202 or Timbercrest Charitable Assistance Fund, P.O. Box 501, North Manchester, Indiana 46962.
The family of Janice Smith has entrusted McKee Mortuary with care and final arrangements.
Condolences may be emailed to delaughtermckee.com