Larry "Lynn" Smith

Larry Lynn Smith, age 80 formally of Akron, Indiana died peacefully on June 30, 2023 at 2:36 p.m. at the Parkview Wabash Hospital, Wabash, Indiana.

He was born on May 22, 1943 in Argos, Indiana to Ned and Mildred (Town) Smith.  Lynn graduated from Akron High School in 1961.  He married Norma Kay Hiers on November 26, 1961.  He was a point guard on the high school basketball team and served as the treasurer of the FFA.

Lynn was a dairy farmer for 33 + years and worked at Sonoco several years in Akron, Indiana.  Other career jobs included maintenance tech at Life Care Center, Rochester, Indiana; Craig’s Welding, Mentone, Indiana; vehicle Porter and Parts runner and various other jobs.

In 1994 Lynn earned an Associate’s degree at Ivy Tech for Industrial Maintenance Technology.  He had been a member of the Akron Lions Club.  He enjoyed going to flea markets, sale barns and was a collector of John Deere items.

Lynn lived in Akron for 60 + years, then moving to Roann and lived there for six years.  He and his wife then made the decision to move into The Waters of Wabash West in Wabash, Indiana where Kay now resides.

Lynn was the “MacGyver” of the family and could fix or create a solution to any household maintenance issue or farming issue using various odds and ends we called the “Lynn-Rig”.

He enjoyed having morning breakfast with his buddies around the “Bull Shipper’s Table” in Akron, Indiana as well as other local places in Roann and Laketon, Indiana.  He was a collector of various tools, machinery, all things “John Deere”, antiques and anything he could fix and resell, as well as whatever was left over from a sale.

To his grandchildren, he was known as “Poppie”.  He made the best Poppie cakes (pancakes) and slushies.  They always enjoyed staying overnight at Poppie and Grandma’s house and they supported all the grandkids extracurricular activities.

Surviving Lynn is his wife: Norma Kay Smith of Wabash, IN; (3) daughters: Lisa Studebaker of Akron, IN: Holly (spouse Kevin) Vedder of Cookeville, TN; Heather Runyan (fiancé Jason Starzak) of Portage, IN; (1) son: Kalyn (spouse Kara) Smith of Kokomo, IN; (7) grandchildren: Preston (spouse Molly) Studebaker of Mentone, IN; Leslie (spouse Bryce) Fisher of Akron, IN; Shelby Vedder of Seattle, WA; Riley (spouse Justin) Robertson of Frankfort, IN; Avery and Cole Runyan of Portage, IN; Penelope Smith of Kokomo, IN; (2) great-grandchildren: Brylie and Logan Fisher of Akron, IN; (1) brother: Duane Smith of Rochester, IN; (2) sisters: Marilyn Brofford of Akron, IN; Janet (spouse Jerry) Vigar of Akron, IN

Preceding Lynn in death are his parents, brother Lyle Dean Smith, son-in-law Dan Runyan

To celebrate Lynn’s life, there will be a “Celebration of Life” gathering of friends and relatives on Saturday, July 8, 2023 from 1:00-4:00 p.m. at the Earl-Love Funeral Home, 811 E. Rochester Street, Akron, Indiana.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like any donations to be made to the Tippecanoe Valley FFA.  Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

Online condolences may be sent to earllovefuneralhome.com

The staff of Earl-Love Funeral Home considers it a privilege and an honor to care for the family and friends of Larry Lynn Smith.

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