Willette Mae "Birdie" Smith , age 101 and a lifelong resident of Elwood, passed away on Friday, May 8, 2026 at Alexandria Care Center following a long, well-lived life.  She was born March 12, 1925 in Elwood, the daughter of Cleatus and Irene (Jones) Locke.  Birdie was a 1943 graduate of Elwood High School, and following graduation, she went directly to work for Indiana Michigan Power Company for the next 45 years until her retirement in 1988.  It was there that Birdie met the love of her life, Merl Smith.  On April 23, 1948 they were married and went on to share over 66 wonderful years of marriage together before Merl's passing in 2014.  Birdie and Merl were always together, whether it was playing golf, playing cards, working in their yard together, watching sports, or simply spending time with all their friends.  They were honored to be named Parade Marshals for the Elwood Glass Festival.

Birdie was an avid supporter of Elwood and very active in her community.  She was proud to be from Elwood and truly believed in its residents - believing Elwood to be the best place to live her 101 years of life.  She was a loyal member of the East Main Street Christian Church since the age of 10, and she was a longtime member of the Christian Crusaders Sunday School class at the church.  Other activities Birdie was involved in included being a member of the Elwood Order of Eastern Star, Elwood Chamber of Commerce, and the former Elwood Country Club.  In Birdie's younger years, she was a beautiful model for the Leeson's Department store and other local ladies' stores.  Birdie was well-known for her delicious peanut brittle that she made annually for Christmas gifts.  Her gift list of peanut brittle included over 80 names of good friends.  Elwood will never forget the legacy of Merl and Birdie Smith.

Birdie is survived by 3 God Children, Brian (wife Selita) Reichart and family of Frankton, Gary (wife Michelle) Reichart and family of Frankton, and Tina (husband Ray) Woeber of Alexandria and family; sister, Joyce Robbins of Florida; niece, Tonya (husband Dan) Losey and family of Florida; 2 nephews, Mike McQuinn and family of California and Eric (wife Brandy) Smith and family of Colorado.

Birdie was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Merl Smith; brother-in-law, Dale Smith; sister-in-law, Marjory McQuinn; and niece, Susan McQuinn Swim.

A special thank you to her friends that provided wonderful care and showed so much love to Birdie; Dwayne Cosby, Nancy Johns, Ethel Morris, Vickie Davis, Mary Ann Noble, Roberta Hankley, Nola Lineberry, Jerri Jackman, Diana Ball, Tony and Patsy Baker, and Mary Pat Mengelt.  Another special thank you to the wonderful staff at Alexandria Care Center and Keystone Hospice.

A funeral service celebrating Birdie's life will take place at 1:00 pm on Thursday, May 14, 2026 at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home in Elwood with Pastor Roger Gardner of Heritage Christian Church officiating.  Entombment will follow inside the Elwood City Cemetery Mausoleum.  Visitation for family and friends will take place from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm prior to the funeral on Thursday at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the "Food 4 Kids Program" through East Main Street Christian Church.  Online condolences and stories may be shared at copherfeslermay.com.