Gertrude R. Smythe

Gertrude Rose Smythe, 98, Warsaw, passed away Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in Archbold, Ohio. She was born to Neal and Ellen (Sandham) McClane on July 30, 1925, in Warsaw.

After graduating from Mentone High School in 1943, she joined the local Civil Air Patrol.

On June 2, 1946, Gertrude and Harold Smythe Jr. were married in Mentone, when he was discharged after serving during World War Il. They settled in Mentone to raise their family, a son, David, and daughter, Elizabeth Anne.

Gertrude moved to Warsaw after her husband died and retiring from Creighton Bros. She had been an accountant and office manager at Creighton’s for over 25 years.

Gertrude loved to sew, winning many ribbons at the county fair. She enjoyed working in her flower gardens and was known on East Clark Street for her beautiful flowers and dressed concrete geese. Even in her mid-90s Gertrude was still wearing her signature high-heeled shoes. She always had at least one house cat to keep her company and fed many of the neighborhood strays. Gertrude had also headed up a group of Red Hat ladies who enjoyed going out to lunch once a month at area restaurants.

She will be missed by her son, David (Sandy) Smythe, Mentone; grandson, Skipper (Kelly) Smythe, Warsaw; granddaughter, Rachel (Chris) Blanton, Wauseon, Ohio; grandson, Eric (Trinity) Stone, Indianapolis; great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews; and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; sister, Margaret (Peg) Burger; daughter, Ellzabeth Anne Stone; and grandson, Neal Smythe.

Her remains will be interred privately in the Mentone Cemetery, Mentone.

To honor her memory, donations can be made to the Animal Welfare League of Kosciusko County.

Share a memory or send an online condolence at hartzlerfuneralservices.com.