Helen K. Smith , age 84 and a longtime resident of Frankton, passed away unexpectedly on June 16, 2025 at Ascension - St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis following complications of a fall in Alexandria.  She was born October 21, 1940 in Elwood, the daughter of Earl E. "Bud" and Ruth C. (Kaiser) Powell.  Helen was raised in St. Joseph Catholic Church and attended St. Joseph School for 9 years before transferring to Wendell L. Willkie High School where she graduted in 1959.  She married Ronald J. Smith on November 14, 1964, and they shared 47 years of marriage together before his passing in 2011.

Helen was a devoted homemaker for many years before working at the Frankton High School as a cook for 6 years.  She also worked at Safe-T-Aid in Elwood in the commercial sewing department.  Helen loved sewing, quilting, and making alterations of all kinds in her free time.  She was well-known in the Frankton community for being the sexton and bookkeeper of the Frankton K. of P. – I.O.O.F. Cemetery for over 40 years – a position she inherited from her mother.  She was a member of the Frankton Quilting Club, the Red Hat Society, and longtime volunteer at St. Vincent Mercy Hospital in Elwood for many years.  Helen and Ron formerly enjoyed snowmobiling, camping, and listening to country music.  Helen especially loved weekly lunches and outings with her sister, Vicki.  She cherished time spent with all her family members and good friends.  Helen was known for being aware of most everything going on in Frankton and Elwood, and she loved socializing with everyone she met.

Helen's family includes three children, Tammara Robinson of Delphi, Amy (Don) Collis of Elwood, and Scott Smith of Alexandria; sister, Victoria E. "Vicki" Dever of Elwood; brother, David (Diane) Powell of Anadarko, OK; 6 grandchildren, Audrey Smith, Veronica Morris, Jeremy Morris, Cecelia Robinson, Sidney Collis, and Sophia Smith; 4 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Helen was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Ronald Smith.

A funeral service celebrating Helen's life and legacy will be held at 2:00 pm on Friday, June 20, 2025 at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home in Elwood with Pastor Wynn Stenftenagel of the First United Methodist Church officiating.  Burial will follow in the K. of P. – I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Frankton.  Visitation for family and friends will be held from 12 to 2 pm prior to the funeral on Friday at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home.  Memorial contributions are suggested to the American Cancer Society.  Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.copherfeslermay.com.