On January 9, 2025, my mom, Mildred Smith, affectionately known as Millie, rode into the sunset for the last time on her quarter horse, Rusty, alongside her favorite U.S. Marshal, Matt Dillon, Deputy Marshal, Fetus Hagen, Roy Rogers, Dale Evans, and Pat Brady.
Before Millie rode off into the sunset, she drove a tractor and trailer. Upon her retirement, she became a co-author with her daughter, Debra Smith. The Cobblestone Mansion was my mom’s favorite book.
Millie shared laughter with her friends from Raystown, Milwaukee, and Santa Monica. She enjoyed her time with her favorite homicide detective from Los Angeles, California. Millie enjoyed the rodeos, horse pulls, truck pulls, county fairs, harness racing, watching movies, and enjoying her favorite holiday, Christmas. She won ribbons at the county fair for her rose and hydrangeas. She enjoyed going to the mountains to see the leave in their autumn colors. Millie enjoyed Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Nutcracker ballet, and listening to classic country music. She enjoyed Penguin Hockey, and Harlem Globetrotters.
She is survived by her daughter, Debra Smith; three sisters, Edna (Bob) Witmer of Cherry Tree, Jane (James) Pedersen of Carthage, MS, and Sara Searles of Indiana, PA; a special nephew, William Jack of Indiana, PA; and a special friend, Matthew Heller; and numerous nieces and nephews. Millie’s beloved Yorkie mixes, Trixie Lynn and Matti May provided her comfort.
She was proceeded in death by her husband, William F. Smith in 2011, whom she loved from the age 19; her mother Jane Stiffler in 2022, brother Sonny Stiffler and a sister Beatrice Mae Wright.
Friends will be received by the family on Thursday, January 16, 2025, from 11 AM until the time of service at 1 PM, in the Bowser Minich Funeral Home, 500 Ben Franklin Road S, Indiana, with Pastor Dick Motzing officiating. Burial to follow in Union Cemetery, Shelocta.
To express an online condolence to the family, please visit www.bowserminich.com.
