Ned K. “Smitty” Smith, age 85, of Griffith, formerly of Bass Lake and Demotte, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his family on Monday, March 18, 2013.  Ned was a graduate of Dyer High School, Class of 1945.  He served in the U. S. Army-WWII.  Ned was employed by Inland Steel for 30 years.  He was co-owner of Smitty’s Sport & Bait Shop.  Ned enjoyed fishing & was an avid Cubs & Bulls fan, but above all, he loved watching his son and grandchildren play basketball and baseball.  He was truly a great family man and will be missed by all who knew him.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Ray & Janie Smith.  He is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Betty (nee Jostes) Smith; 2 sons, Kenneth (Linda) Smith & Bill (Irene) Smith; grandchildren, Brian (Jennifer) Smith, Darren Smith, Jennifer Smith, Wendy (John) Ozug, Rick (Amy) Smith, Linsey (Stephen) Waterstraat, & Skyler Smith; and many great-grandchildren.

A Memorial Service will be held Friday, March 22, 2013 at 5:00 p.m. at Suncrest Christian Church, 10009 Parrish St., St. John, IN.  A Memorial visitation will be held on Friday from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the church.  In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Asera Care Hospice.  Burns Funeral Home, Crown Point, IN in charge of arrangements.

Service details, Social networking, Memorial Guestbook and Slideshow are available here.