Mrs. Donna J. Kindig Smith, 86, of Rochester, passed away at 8:47 a.m. Thursday, July 2, 2015, at Life Care Center of Rochester.

Born in Rochester on Jan. 8, 1929, Donna was the cherished daughter of Oral “Hap” and Eva M. Severns Kindig.

Growing up, she shared her childhood with a sister, Helen and a brother, Omer, as the children of the legendary builders of Fulton County’s round barns.

On Nov. 2, 1952, Donna and Francis D. Smith were married in Rochester. Together they shared over 47 years of life’s adventures. Sadly, Francis passed away on Jan. 5, 2000.

Donna was a devoted  member of the First Christian Church.  She loved children and as an Aunt she adored her nephews and nieces.  For them she employed her arsenal of crafts, many times creating custom gifts of warmth.   Her love of children was vast as she crocheted over 200 afghans and donated them to the patients of Riley’s Children’s Hospital.  With a the heart of a patriot, Donna crocheted  three US flag afghans for the children of a local American hero.  During other creative stints she customized blankets for special occasions and sent them internationally.    Two members of the Black Horse Troop  from Culver’s Military Academy garnered blankets made by Donna for their attire during President Ronald Regan’s Inaugural Parade.

Always busy with her skilled hands, Donna enjoyed expressing herself on plastic canvas.  Bright, colorful and each creation unique,  all made with love.  For special friends she created pot holders and owl purses.   This gentle sweet soul, with a giving heart of gold will be missed by her family, friends  and  the many lives she touched during life’s journey.

Left to cherish Donna’s memory are  two daughters: Jean Ann Kindig Mize and husband Bobby of Kokomo, and Tamara Lynn Lehman, of Novato, Calif.; three grandchildren: Michael E. Mize of Huntington; Heather M. Lehman of Columbus, Ohio; and Tracy L. Macaluso (Mark) of Kokomo; a great-grandson: Jordan Bass (Kelsey) of Kokomo; a great-great-granddaughter: Berkleigh Rose Bass; a sister: Helen Notz of Rochester; a brother: Omer L. Kindig and wife Annette of Warsaw; a sister-in-law, Barbara Smith of Leiters Ford; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Preceding Donna in death are her parents, husband and a grandson, John Allen Lehman.

Donna’s family wishes to express their grateful appreciation to  the Life Care community for the love, support and special care they gave her for the past eight years during her residency.  Your care and compassion has truly been a blessing.

A celebration of the life of Donna Jean Smith will be at 2 p,n, Tuesday, July 7, in the Good Family Funeral Home, 1200 West 18th St., Rochester. Friends may visit with the family from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday in the funeral home. Bert Sterk will officiate her service. Donna Jean will be laid to eternal rest next to her beloved husband Francis in the Leiters Ford Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Southern Care Hospice, 310 West McKinley Ave. #340, Mishawaka, IN 46545.