Bernard K. Smith, 84, of Warren, Indiana, passed into the arms of his heavenly Father on February 12, 2024, at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Bernie graduated from Tennyson High School in 1957. He attended Evansville College and graduated from Oakland City College in 1961 with his education degree. He taught at Lake Prairie School in Lowell, Indiana, where he met Joan Hufford. They married on June 2, 1962. They lived in Lowell until 1963, when they moved to Portage, Indiana. They then moved to Valparaiso, Indiana in 1979. He worked as a teacher in several northwest Indiana school districts but spent most of his career in the School City of Hobart (Indiana) district as a teacher, guidance counselor, and assistant principal. Bernie taught for Portage Adult Education, helping adult students earn their GED certificates. He also taught classes for the American Institute of Banking. During his career, he continued to expand his education portfolio with a master’s degree, principal’s license, and superintendent’s license. He retired from teaching in 1993. While he was teaching, he started a water conditioning business and installed water softeners and water filters all over northwest Indiana. In 1998, after Joan retired from teaching, they opened the Willow Tree Inn, a bed and breakfast near Michigan City, Indiana. They operated the B&B for 8 ½ years, after which they moved to Britton Falls in Fishers, Indiana. In 2020, they moved to Heritage Pointe in Warren, Indiana. Bernie and Joan were members of Lowell Church of Christ, Portage Christian Church, Central Christian Church (Valparaiso), and Cyntheanne Christian Church in Fishers. He enjoyed tractor pulls, everything related to farming, classic Ford Thunderbirds, model trains, and spending time with his family.
Bernie was born on September 11, 1939, in Tennyson, Indiana to parents Kenneth and Flora (Feagley) Smith. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers Marvin and Doyle.
Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Joan; sons Eric (Jodi) of Fishers (IN) and Drew (Kati) of Huntington (IN); and eight grandchildren: Lauren, Jackson, Tyler, Megan, Spencer, Nolan, Jahnna, and Charlotte.
Visitation will take place on Saturday, February 17, 2024, from 11:00 am to 1:00 p.m. at the Markle Church of Christ, 455 E. Morse St. Markle, Indiana.
Funeral Services will also take place on Saturday, February 17, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. following the visitation at the Church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to either the Cyntheanne Christian Church Jamaica Mission fund or the Markle Church of Christ Missions fund and can be sent in care of the Myers Funeral Home, P.O. Box 403, Markle, IN 46770.
