Vonda (Hunt) Smith

Vonda Lee Smith, 87, entered a well-earned eternal rest on April 19, 2025, after a brief illness.

Vonda, best known by those who loved her as mom, grandma, grandma with the white hair, sister and “Aunt Von” was born April 26, 1937, in Fort Wayne, Indiana to Charles Maurice and Harriet Louise Hunt.  After graduating from Concordia High School in 1955 she attended Indiana State.

Vonda was the epitome of strength, resilience, and selflessness.  These qualities were never more evident than when she was a single mother to 2 boys in the 1960’s and 70’s.  This was an era when resources for a single mother were non-existent and pure resilience and strength were the only way to survive and provide for her family…and she did, every day, on her own. 

In the early 1980’s, Vonda and family moved to Houston, TX where she spent every weekend caring for her 1st grandchild.  She picked Corey up on Fridays and he proceeded to lead her around Houston on adventures!  Corey has vivid memories of giving her directions around the city.  He did the navigating and she did the driving…and horn-honking!  It’s said that she wore the horn out at least 4 times!

In the mid-1980’s, life led them all back to Northern Indiana/Southern, MI where the family continued to expand and more memories were made.  Again, she was a caregiver for her grandchildren, taking Corey and Brandon for frosties, french fries, and afternoons of movie watching.  The late 1990’s brought Devlin and Joshua to the family and Vonda was devoted to attending every event and performance in which they participated, and it was many!

She was a wizard with a crochet needle and yarn…crafting hundreds of handmade items for all she loved.  She made dollhouses and crocheted dolls that provided years of creativity and entertainment for her great-granddaughters. 

Vonda survived a breast cancer diagnosis in her sixties and open-heart surgery in her late 70’s.  Her strength and resiliency allowed her many more years of supporting and caring for her family.  She enjoyed years of monthly movie dates with Terry…seeing the Saw horror movies among many others!  Her later years were spent sharing a home with Tre, Devlin and Joshua…giving her a front-row seat for memory making.

Missing her here on Earth are her sons: Terry (Brenda) Smith of Sturgis, MI and Tre Smith of Kendallville, IN.  Grandchildren: Corey Smith, Sturgis, MI; Devlin Smith, LaGrange, IN; and Joshua Smith, NY, NY.  Great-grandaughters: Raven Smith, North Carolina; Kaylee and Millie Smith, Sturgis, MI. Sisters: Karna Krull and Karen Deller.  Brothers: Kimm (Tammy) Hunt and Kyle Hunt.

Vonda was greeted in heaven by a grandson, Brandon Smith; brothers Zane Hunt and Todd Hunt, sister-in-law Wanda Hunt, and brother-in-law, Thomas Deller

Per Vonda’s wishes, a private memorial service will take place at a later date.

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