MORGANTOWN
Donald “Cripple Crow” Eugene Smith, 75, of Morgantown, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2016, in Greenwood.
He was born Nov. 18, 1940, in Morgantown, to his parents, Nathan and Bertha (Huffman) Smith.
Donald married Paula S. McClain on Jan. 19, 2002, in Morgantown.
He served as a heavy equipment operator for Mid-Central Operator’s Engineer for 44 years. He was the owner of Smith’s Family Restaurant and Pizza in Morgantown and Trafalgar. He was a member of the I.U.O.E. Local 103. Donald belonged to the Indiana Free Mason Lodge – 358, in Morgantown, since 1966. He served as a volunteer for the Morgantown fire and police departments, and as an EMT. He served as a Little League coach and enjoyed Southern Gospel Music. Most of all, he enjoyed sharing his Native American culture.
He opened “Cripple Crow and Me” in Morgantown. The store celebrated his heritage, and he would make jewelry, bead-work, knives and other items. They sold buffalo and elk meat, and a “healing salve”, which he says, “heals anything but a broken heart, and then you’ll feel better after you talk to me.” He also enjoyed participating in Native American Pow Wow’s.
He is survived by his wife, Paula S. (McClain) Smith of Morgantown; children, Debbie (Kenny) Ferguson and Steven (Tena) Smith, both of Morgantown, Daniel (Elaine) Smith of Martinsville and Sara (Joey) Barnett of Bargersville; three brothers, David (Linda) Smith of Morgantown, Maurice (Linda) Smith of Rosedale and Michael (Sharon) Smith of Trafalgar; 10 grandchildren, Rebecca (Brett) Reigel, David Certolic, Ethan and Alexandria Ferguson, Nicholas, Michaela, and Alexa Smith, Kimberly Smith and Kirsten and Kaitlyn Barnett; and six great-grandchildren, Samantha, Mariah, Sara and Trey Reigel, Noelle Jones and Isabella Yates.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Nathan and Bertha Smith; a son, Gerald Eugene Smith; a brother, Jimmy Dale Smith; a sister, Karen Smith; and a granddaughter, Nicole Smith.
A Celebration of Life Service will be at 3:30 p.m. Sunday at the First Christian Church, 2717 S. Morgantown Road, Morgantown.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Jessen Funeral Home, Whiteland Chapel.
