Mr. George Luther Smith Jr. passed away at 9:39 am, Sunday, January 6th, 2019, at Community Hospital South in Indianapolis after spending 8 days there with his family by his side. George, age 85, of Aurora, Indiana, entered this life on February 23, 1933, in Rising Sun, Indiana. He was the son of the late George Luther and Jennie Louella (Liggett) McPherson Smith. He was raised in Rising Sun, Indiana, and was a 1951 graduate of Rising Sun High School.
He was united in marriage on August 6, 1960, at the First Baptist Church in Rising Sun, Indiana, to Jeraldine “Jeri” Kathryn Iceberg and to this union arrived two daughters, Margo and Alicia, to bless their home. George and Jeri shared over 58 loving years of marriage until his death.
George attended the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. He owned the Aurora Music Center in Aurora, Indiana, which he opened in 1963. He sold an array of instruments including pianos, organs, guitars and band instruments/repairs for all the local school districts. He was an accomplished piano tuner for 30 years (tuning by ear). He was a founding member of the Southeastern Indiana Musicians Hall of Fame. George was known for his business and music by many in the Aurora, Dearborn County and surrounding areas. In 2009, the Governor of Kentucky bestowed upon him the title of Kentucky Colonel. George had a passion for sailing, he even built several sailboats that the family enjoyed over the years. He will be dearly missed by his loving family, friends, neighbors and community.
He was a long- time member of the First Baptist Church of Aurora where he served as a deacon and choir member. He and his wife first started attending the First Presbyterian Church of Aurora, Indiana, and then Beecher Presbyterian Church of Lawrenceburg, Indiana, in support of their son-in-law Robert H. Northcutt Jr.’s ministry. George loved the Lord and spread the love of Jesus to everyone he met.
George is survived by his wife Jeraldine “Jeri” Kathryn (Iceberg) Smith of Shady Nook, Lawrenceburg, IN; daughters, Margo (Bob) Northcutt of North Bend, OH; Alicia Smith of Richmond, VA; grandchildren, Miranda (Dwight) Watson, Richmond, VA; Bobby Northcutt of Columbus, OH; and Ryan Smith of Richmond, VA.; great grandchildren, Tyus and Kaya Watson; many nieces, nephews and cousins; in-laws, Janet Iceberg of Bear Branch, IN., Marlene (John) Steuver of Dillsboro, IN., and George (Barb) Iceberg of Dewberry, IN.
He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Lucian, Bill, Leland and Gladys McPherson, Elizabeth “Betty” Noble and in-laws, Stella and Dale Giltner and Ervin Iceberg.
Friends will be received Friday, January 11, 2019, from 4:00-8:00 pm at Rullman Hunger Funeral Home, Aurora, Indiana.
Services will be held on Saturday at 10:30 am at the Beecher Presbyterian Church, 229 Short Street, Lawrenceburg, Indiana, with Pastor Robert Northcutt officiating.
Internment will follow in the St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery, Dewberry, Indiana (near Friendship).
Contributions may be made to the St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, Beecher Presbyterian Church or Southeastern Indiana Musicians Association Inc. If unable to attend services, please call the funeral home office at (812) 926-1450 and we will notify the family of your donation with a card.
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