Harrison Adam “Hal” Smitson, Jr.

Harrison A. Smitson Jr. BIRTH 22 Sep 1933 Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana DEATH 12 Aug 2011 Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana BURIAL Washington Cemetery Union twp, Marshall County, Indiana,

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Harrison Smitson September 22, 1933 - August 22, 2011 Visitations: Monday, August 15, from 4:00pm to 8:00pm Leppert Mortuary, Nora Chapel Services: Tuesday, August 15, at 11:00am Second Presbyterian Church Cemetery Location:



Harrison Adam “Hal” Smitson, Jr. passed away peacefully on August 12, 2011 at the age of 77. After a relatively short illness, he is now joyfully reunited with his beloved Annie in God’s presence.

Born in Indianapolis on September 22,1933, he was the son of the late Harrison A. Smitson, Sr. and Charlotte Reissner Smitson and grew up in Tipton, IN.

Hal’s wife of 55 years, Ann Marie Jones Smitson, passed away on May 20, 2010. Hal is survived by his brother, Robert (Marilyn), sons, R. David (Ellen), Harrison III “Chip” (Karyn), John R. (Laura), and ten wonderful grandchildren: Robert (Kaily), Christopher, Mary, Zachary, Casey, Tyler, Gretchen, Eric, Luda and Chad.

Hal graduated from Tipton High School where he was a member of the band (trombone), the yearbook staff, and the basketball, football, golf and track teams. Most importantly, it was there he began dating Ann. The two went on to graduate from Purdue University in 1955. Hal earned a B.S./Mechanical Engineering degree. He was an active member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity, President of the Purdue chapter of ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers), a member of the yearbook staff and several honorary societies.

After the two were married in 1955, Hal and Ann settled in Norfolk, VA where Hal was a commissioned officer in the U.S. Navy.

After a few somewhat nomadic years spent in Norfolk, Cleveland and working for Lincoln Arc Welding in Pittsburgh, Hal went back to Purdue for his M.S. in Industrial Management and upon graduation in 1962, landed in Columbus, IN to work for Cummins Engine Company. His career at Cummins was quite successful by any standard: Assistant to Executive Vice President, Director – Product Financial Analysis, Plant Manager of Walesboro Components Plant, Vice President – Management Systems, Vice President – Manufacturing Support, and Vice President Manufacturing – Case Cummins Programs.

In 1981 Hal and Ann moved to Indianapolis where Hal was President of Cummins Mid-States Power, Inc. until retiring in 1997.

Hal and Ann had their hands f ull raising three boys who had been born in three states while actively pursuing a variety of interests.

In Columbus Hal was a member of Kiwanis, member of the Fire Commission, Chairman at North Christian Church, President of Bartholomew County Retirement Foundation, District Chairman of Boy Scouts of America, Director of Junior Chamber of Commerce, Director of Junior Achievement and Director at Farmers Loan & Trust Co. of Tipton.

In Indianapolis he was Director of Indiana Manufacturers Association, Director at Fairbanks Hospital, Director at Meridian Hills Country Club, Director of The Junto of Indianapolis, and member of Second Presbyterian Church.

Upon etirement, Hal and Ann spent most winter months at their beautiful golf course home in Carefree, AZ where he was a member of Desert Forest Golf Club and Desert Mountain Club.

It would be impossible to overstate Hal’s deep love for Culver Military Academy & Summer Schools located on the lovely Lake Maxinkuckee in Culver , IN. He attended the academy’s summer-long programs from a very young age and on into his teen years when he was a member of the naval band company. Hal and Ann had a home on Lake Maxinkuckee and spent nearly every warm weather weekend there for their entire and spent nearly every warm weather weekend there for their entire married life. It was definitely the favorite gathering place for the whole family. They took great joy and interest in their three sons’ participation in the Culver programs as well as that of seven of their grandchildren (so far!). Hal was a past member of the Culver Board of Trustees and President of the Culver Summer School Alumni Association and is the current President of the Maxinkuckee Country Club.

Hal was passionate about golf. He really loved the game, as frustrating as it can be, and has played all over the U.S. and Europe. He made all his own clubs along with many for family members. A special memory is the Scotland golfing trip with his sons. Hal spent countless hours on the links with his wife, sons, grandchildren, brother, friends and business associates. He scored a hole-in-one five times and was always tough competition.

Wherever Hal was, at any hour of the day or night, beautiful whistling could be heard. He enjoyed reading about history, zealously completing daily crosswords, and attending all his grandchildren’s functions and sporting events. Although he was essentially a private person, his humor often made him the life of the party. Hal was a man of few words, but strong actions. He often led by example and encouraged his family to a high standard of excellence. Hal was a true patriarch – and one who deeply loved his family. Long ago Hal and Ann established a tradition of adventures with each grandchild at a certain age such as whitewater rafting, an Alaskan cruise, a London trip, and a Hawaiian cruise. On June 15, 2011 he took five of his grandchildren on a wonderful memory-filled trip to Washington, D.C.

Family and friends will gather from 4-8pm Monday, Aug.15 at Leppert Mortuary, Nora chapel. A funeral service for Hal will be held at Second Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis on Tuesday, Aug.16 at 11am. Later that same day, friends and family are also invited to the brief burial service taking place at 4 pm at Washington Township Cemetery at Culver , IN and a 5 pm gathering at the Culver Naval Building.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Culver Educational Foundation or Second Presbyterian Church.

You are invited to visit the website www.leppertmortuary.com where you may share a personal memory of Hal or sign the guest book -- www .leppertmortuary. com / Culvercitizen 18 Aug 2011 / Plymouth Pilot 8-15-11

married 1955 Ann Marie Jones BIRTH 19 May 1933 Indianapolis Marion county, Indiana, DEATH 20 May 2010 Indiana BURIAL Washington Cemetery Culver, Marshall County, Indiana daughter of John E. Jones and Ladena Foster

Ann Smitson May 19, 1933 - May 20,2010 Visitations: May 23, 2010 1-5pm Leppert Mortuary, Nora Chapel Services: May 24, 2010 11:00 am Second Presbyterian Church Cemetery Location:



Ann Marie Smitson passed away peacefully at home on May 20, 2010 at the age of 77. After a long illness, she is now joyfully breathing easy in God’s presence. Born May 19,1933 in Indianapolis, she was the daughter of the late John E. Jones and Ladena Foster Jones and grew up in Wilmette, IL, Cicero, IN and Tipton, IN.

Ann is survived by her loyal husband of 55 years, Harrison A. Smitson, Jr., her beloved sons and daughters-in-law, R. David (Ellen), Harrison III (Karyn) and John R. (Laura), and her wonderf ul grandchildren, Robert (Kaily), Christopher, Mary, Zachary, Casey, Tyler, Gretchen, Eric, Luda and Chad.

Ann graduated from Tipton High School where she was a member of Student Council, the Honor Society and the band (oboe). She was also a drum majorette and cheerleader. Most importantly, it was there she began dating Hal. The two went on to graduate from Purdue University in 1955. Ann earned a B.S./Home Economics degree with honors. She was an active member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. She was awarded Gold Pepper and Alpha Lambda Delta honoraries. Her many activities included: Debras Staff, Theta Sigma Phi, Omicron Nu, Kappa Delta Pi, V.C. Meredith Club, Associated Women Students, Sportswomen and WAA.

Ann and Hal settled in Norfolk, VA after being married in 1955. Ann was a 6th grade teacher and Hal was stationed in the Navy.

After a few years spent in Pittsburgh, PA and Cleveland, OH they moved to Columbus, IN where she was mother to the three boys, an elder and deacon at North Christian Church, President of Service League and President of Tri Kappa. Ann was a partner in a catering business and enjoyed golf, tennis, bridge and volunteering at school.

The boys were out of the nest when Ann and Hal moved to Indianapolis. This brought new opportunities. A love of art history steered her toward a vocation dear to her heart - serving as a docent at the Indianapolis Museum of Art. In Indy, Ann was also a member of PEO and Director of Young Audiences.

Ann had a deep love for Culver , IN and the Culver Military Academy & Summer Schools. She and Hal spent every summer at Culver’s Lake Maxinkuckee and were quite generous to include the whole family whenever possible. In later years winters were spent near Carefree, AZ enjoying the sunshine and Arizona beauty.

Ann was a woman of action: a golfer, a world traveler, a tennis player and an adventurer. She rode a mule down the Grand Canyon and also braved a week whitewater rafting on the Colorado River later in life. At home she was a woman of talent: a gourmet cook, an expert seamstress and knitter, a voracious mystery novel reader and a stylish party hostess. She was determined with a flair for the dramatic. Ann was intelligent, creative and generous with her time and gifts. She was caring, funny and family-oriented. Most of all, she was truly loved and will be greatly missed.

Family and friends will gather from 1-5pm Sunday, May 23 at Leppert Mortuary, Nora chapel. A funeral service for Ann will be held at Second Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis on Monday, May 24 at 11am.

You are invited to visit the website www.leppertmortuary.com where you may share a personal memory of Ann or sign the guest book and in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Culver Educational Foundation or Second Presbyterian - www .leppertmortuary. com

They Had:

R. David Smitson married Ellen
Harrison A. III "Chip" Smitson married Karyn
John R. Smitson married Laura