Marthena J. Smith

Marthena Janelle Smith, age 92, was born February 26, 1930 and passed away at The Springs of Mooresville on September 30, 2022. She was a lifetime resident of Mooresville who quietly donated thousands of dollars to charitable causes.

She was the daughter of Urban Aldi Smith and Velma Merle Hackleman (Smith) Mendenhall. Her stepfather was Ben Mendenhall.

Marthena worked 42 years at the Indiana University School of Dentistry in Indianapolis where she managed the dental laboratory and trained several generations of central Indiana dentists.

She was a local philanthropist who generously and usually anonymously supported many causes in the area including: Boys and Girls Club of Morgan County, the Organ Fund at the Mooresville First United Methodist Church, Leader Dogs for the Blind, Cats Haven, League of Miracles, United Methodist Children’s Home-Lebanon, Desert Rose women’s shelter, Churches in Mission, several scholarship funds, and WFYI Public Television.

She loved to paint, a talent she inherited from her mother and grandmother. She also enjoyed many different types of crafts during her retirement including hand-painted Christmas ornaments, latchhook, and her Christmas Village scene.

She was a 50-year member of the Mooresville United Methodist Church and most recently attended Camby Community Church with her lifelong friend, Carol Griffith. She was also a prior member of the Mooresville Academy Building Historic Group, League of Miracles, and Boys and Girls Club.

She was a proud member of the Mooresville High School Class of 1949 and attended one year of post-secondary education in Elkhart, Indiana.

Friends will remember Marthena as a very humble person who lived a quiet life that reflected her deep faith in God and devotion to helping others. Her many gifts to the community will carry her legacy forward for many years.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, October 5, 2022, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Carlisle - Branson Funeral Service & Crematory, Mooresville.  Services will follow at 7 p.m., with Pastor Brad Long officiating.  Private interment will be held on Thursday morning in the Mooresville Cemetery.  Visit www.CarlisleBranson.com to share a favorite memory or to sign the online guest registry.