Verna Imogene "Jean" (Hill) Glass

Verna Imogene (Hill) 'Jean' Glass, 91, one of Smithville's most loyal and devoted natives lost a battle with pneumonia and passed away peacefully from its complications on December 31, 2015. Jean was surrounded by her family, who soothed, prayed and shared stories of happy memories of Jean. In death, Jean was proceeded by her parents Roy and Grace Hill, brother Lew E Hill, sister-in-law's Betty (May) Hill and Lois (Todd) Hill, daughter Tammy (McCammon) Sharp and granddaughter Suzie Lynn Sharp. In life she is survived by husband Kenneth E Glass, of Smithville, brother James L. Hill, (Bloomington), sister Rosemary (Hill) Wisley, (Bloomington), daughters Linda C McCammon, (Bloomington), Rosalind J (McCammon) Gerstman (Daniel), (Ellettsville), step-daughter Judith D (Glass) Hinnefeld (Jerry), (Bloomington), grandson Chad R Richardson, (Judah), granddaughters Anita L (Bastin) Bohn (Chris), (Winnetka, IL), Angela L (Richardson) Mayle (Brent), (Spencer), Ashley Hinnefeld, (Bloomington), Alyssa (Hinnefeld) Dunn (Michael), Bloomington, and the lights of her life granddaughters Addison Lynn Mayle and Ava Jane Bohn. She is also survived by several nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and many cousins all scattered across the country. Born on a late spring day, May 30, 1924, on the second floor of the Smithville Hotel-US Post Office where her grandmother, Cora Burnworth was the local Post Mistress and her grandfather Levi Burnworth, a teacher, coach and principal for the Smithville School System, Jean was one of Dr. George Mitchell's home deliveries; later her two brothers and sister would also be delivered by Doc Mitchell, at home, as was that generational practice. Her parents, Grace C (Burnworth) Hill, a school teacher and admirer of all God's creatures, and Roy Hill, who passed his dazzling red hair gene to Jean, her sister Rosemary and brother Jim and eventually found his way into the limestone industry. (The hotel and post office was destroyed by fire 3 months following Jean's birth.) She was an excellent student who soon found the joy of singing and playing the violin. Jean's mellow soprano voice helped her win many parts in school operettas that she performed with verve. Later she would share her singing talent and theatrical training with the congregation at Smithville Christian Church. Graduatingfrom Smithville High School in 1942 she would marry and begin working in the support of the WWII effort both in Indianapolis and in Bloomington -- working many years at the local RCA plant. Jean worked as a bookkeeper for many years at the Empire Stone Company and later, at his company's inseption, she was a bookkeeper for Bill Cook, Inc., at a local accounting firm in Bloomington. Her love and talent for sewing provided many Easter ensembles for her three daughters, Linda, Tammy and Rozzie and a special red, cotton dress for Linda's first Valentine Dance. As Jean's three daughters reached school age she quickly became involved with the local PTA and eventually elected President. Jean's love of the Smithville Skibos Basketball Team began in high school where she was a cheerleader and after graduation followed each team faithfully until the school was closed in 1972. The Smithville School System was nearly lost in the late '50s and Jean along with a devoted committee disputed that effort and were able to save the school only to lose it in a county wide redistricting program that closed it and other Monroe County small town high schools in 1972. She was an avid IU Hoosier Basketball fan. When broadcasting Hoosier games became a reality, with a brand new RCA black and white TV, every Monday night she would watch the Hoosiers (Archie Dees) while ironing; she rarely missed a Hoosier game beyond those early broadcasting days. She never forgot her SHS roots and was a regular attendee of the annual SHS Alumni Association Banquet, missing only a few throughout her post-graduation years and at times worked as an organizer for the annual event. Jean loved her small hometown roots and spent her life in Smithville -- except for a couple short moves, only to return where she was comfortable, rooted and knew virtually everyone. At mid-life Jean would meet and marry Kenneth E Glass and add his daughter Judith Diane to her family. In 1991 and following brother Lew and sister Rosemary's vision she and Ken along with a group of Smithville residents placed a limestone marker identifying the entrance to Smithville which quickly created the Smithville Area Association. The association renovated the Redmen building that once housed grade school classes, they revived the high school and gymnasium and relocated Doc Mitchell's old office onto the school grounds. Soon to follow was the addition of the Smithville Memorial Garden where engraved limestone benches with names of Smithville families and supporters stand -- all donated by Lew Hill. Jean was the obvious Historian of Smithville lore, families and geographical statistics for the little town that flourished under the expansion of the railroad that ran through the middle of it carrying precious limestone to faraway places. We fear that more facts and dates have gone with her and lost to lovers of historical study. Jean belonged to a local Green Thumb Garden Club and because of her love of flowers we welcome floral tributes or, if you choose, we would appreciate your consideration of a donation, in her memory, to the Smithville Area Association. We would like to thank the staff of nurses, technicians, and support staff of Monroe Hospital for the caring attention and thoughtfulness provided to the family. A special thanks to Dr. Singh who was informative, supportive, understanding and a marvelous physician during this critical illness. We also appreciate the very short assistance from Southern Care Hospice Services. Funeral services will be held 2pm Tuesday, January 5, 2016 at Allen Funeral Home; 4155 S. Old State Road 37. Interment will follow in Smithville Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 4-8pm Monday and 1-2pm Tuesday at the funeral home.

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Verna Imogene "Jean" (Hill) Glass

May 30, 1924 - December 31, 2015