john beck smitherman
John
Beck Smitherman, Sr. passed away on July 30th, 2025 in his home
surrounded by family. He was born on August 28, 1935 in Beech Grove, IN
to the late Wendell and Lois Smitherman. He enlisted in the Navy in
June of 1955 and was stationed at Chase Field, Beeville, TX. John met
Shirley Anne Brown in Beeville and they married on December 25, 1957.
After leaving the Navy, John moved his new family north to Indiana.Spending 35 years with Public Service Indiana as Director of Land Rights, John oversaw all real estate owned and leased by the company throughout the state of Indiana, retiring in 1994. He was honored to be designated as one of the most influential people to ever work for Public Service. John continued to use his real estate experience to work in the home appraisal business for the next 15 years.
His knowledge as a Master Gardener produced a beautiful yard full of flowers, vegetables, and shrubs and was a Hendricks County landmark.
John and Shirley had five children: Crystal Mart (Brady), Caryn Parsons, Connie Goins, Carol Barnett (Tom), John, Jr (Cheryl). They have 15 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Mary Jane Hartung of Avon, brother Marvin Smitherman (Colleen) of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, sister-in-law, Barbara Hunter of Fredericksburg, Texas, and several nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, his brother Mark Smitherman of Amo and sister, Bonnie Covey of Maumelle, Arkansas and two sons-in-law, Randy Parsons of Sheridan and Chris Goins of Danville.
Visitation will be on Saturday, August 9th from 11:00 am - 1:00 pm with the funeral services at 1:00 pm at Helton Harris Funeral Home, Danville, IN. Interment will follow at Danville South Cemetery.