Franklin Smiley

Franklin Eugene Smiley, age 89, of Fishers, Indiana, formerly of Union City, Indiana, passed away on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at Restorary of Carmel Nursing Home.

He was born on Aug. 29, 1935, in Union City, Ohio, to the late William and Estella (Amspaugh) Smiley. He graduated from Jackson High School in 1954 and was married for 67 years to Alice (Jetter) Smiley, from March 31, 1955, until Alice’s passing in 2022.

In addition to his parents, Franklin was preceded in death by his loving wife Alice; his eldest daughter Teresa Dotson; and siblings William Smiley, Dorothy Lewis, Virginia Wallace, Verla Smiley and Harold Smiley.

Franklin is survived by his children Estella (Alan) Woodard, Maitland, Florida, Barry Smiley, Greenville, Ohio, Rebecca (Roger) Bentz, Indianapolis, and Bruce (Cheryl) Smiley, Fishers. Franklin was blessed with nine grandchildren, Miranda (Tim) Knight, Greenville, Ohio, Robert Dotson, Greenville, Christopher Dotson, Greenville, Michael Woodard (Michael Ann), Milton, Georgia, Alyssa (Troy) Newberg, Tampa, Florida, Austin (Katey) Woodard, Castlerock, Colorado, Megan (Tyler) Busch, Fishers, and Katelyn Smiley and Erin Smiley, both of Fishers; as well as 17 great-grandchildren; and sister, Maxine Grief.

Franklin was always a farmer at heart and worked numerous positions as he built his own farming operations in Jay and Darke counties. He ended his working career in security at Frank Miller Lumber. Frank enjoyed sports at all levels, was a die-hard Indiana University basketball fan, and was known for his mischievous sense of humor and outgoing demeanor.

A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 21, 2025, at Tribute Funeral Homes, Greenville. Burial will follow at New Teegarden Cemetery.

A visitation will be held prior to the service from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the funeral home.

Condolences may be shared with the family tributefuneralhomes.com.