Helen Ruth (Burkhardt) Smock
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Grand Junction Daily Sentinel page 3D Obituary - December 18, 2016
Helen Smock
October 3, 1918 - December 14, 2016
The saying goes, “Good
fences make good neighbors.”
If the saying is true, then the
old four-foot high, chain link
fence that separated the
Smock and Leane houses on
Michigan Street on the east
side of Indianapolis was
absolutely priceless. A low
fence that afforded no privacy
was exactly what led to a
friendship that began over 40 years ago. The gate that easily
swung both ways, allowed toddlers to pass through, left-overs to
be shared, dinner invitations to be easily made at the last
minute, and a friendship that truly was more “like family” than
neighborly. That old fence made for good neighbors.
Our beloved friend, Helen Ruth (Burkhardt) Smock, passed
away on December 14, 2016, at the age of 98. Helen was born
on October 3, 1918, to Frank Edward and Winnie Helen
(Howell) Burkhardt in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. Helen would
have treasured the companionship of a younger brother, Ralph,
born in 1921 who died in 1924. Being a pioneer in her time, she
was independent, funny, self-made, intelligent, hard working,
and above all else, always a lady. No one could do a better job
of sharing her story of a lifetime that spans almost ten decades
than the lady herself:
“I went to first grade in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. We moved to
Titusville, Florida in 1925, where I graduated in 1935. The
summer of 1935 we moved to St. Petersburg, Florida where I
attended Bixby Business College. After the first year, I worked
for the claims manager of a fire and casualty insurance company
for a couple of years and then as the personal secretary for a
wholesale plumbing supply company, while living at home. In
1940, the idea of trying a winter in a colder climate appealed to
me, and I moved to Indianapolis. Of course, having met a young
man the previous year with whom a correspondence began and
his visits to St. Petersburg, may have had something to do with
the decision. I had planned for a one-year stay if more
permanent plans didn’t come about. They didn’t, but I stayed for
65 years.
Through friends, Gale Smock and I were acquainted for
several years, but it was late in 1947 that I “noticed him” and we
became engaged on Christmas Eve and married April 10, 1948.
He died on October 4, 1974.
My first employment was for Newspaper Boys of America,
which supplied training material for newspaper circulation
managers and newspaper boys around the world. When WWII
began, industries that had the equipment and ability to make
supplies for newspapers became AA1. The facilities were used
for government contracts to make canvas items and bind
training manuals. Most of the men who were managers and
supervisors went in the armed services, leaving the VP who was
only involved in the writing, editing, and publishing of the
printed materials. He and I and the remaining office staff were
the ones who had exposure to retail suppliers and managed the
company until I retired in 1950.
I returned to work on a temporary, part time basis and went to
work in the claim department of Gulf Insurance Company’s
regional office. I later accepted the job as administrative
manager of the regional office, taking retirement in 1985 at the
age of 67.
I remained in Indianapolis until December 2005. My move to
Grand Junction, CO, to be near John and Nancy Leane and their
families was the second best and joyful decision of my life, the
first best decision of my life was marrying Gale Smock.”
Humble and always a lady, Helen didn’t mention in her story
that she spent nearly two decades providing around-the-clock
care for her ill husband and aging parents in the home they
shared on Michigan Street in Indianapolis. Her favorite saying,
“See the need--do the deed,” was more than just a magnet on
her refrigerator. She lived it. Helen was a volunteer at the
Benjamin Harrison Home in Indianapolis, contributing member
to the Methodist Church, Hospice benefactor, and she spent the
better part of the last 40 years of her life taking care to be a
loving aunt to her nieces, Do Shore of Sun City, CA, Jan (Gary)
Bader of Bradenton, FL, and Jeri (Dan) Jordan of Granada, CA.
She was also a surrogate mother, grandmother, and greatgrandmother
to the Leane family.
Helen’s passion for travel taught her to be adventurous, always
ready for fun, and to make friends easily. Even in her 90s Helen
frequently said, “Don’t invite me to do something unless you
really want me there, because I’m always up for invitations and
most likely to answer with a yes!”
Helen is preceded in death by her parents, brother, husband,
numerous friends and relatives from across the country and
across decades. Our family is grateful for the kind and loving
care provided by La Villa Grande Care Center and HopeWest.
She also leaves behind good friends at Horizon Towers.
We loved having Helen in our lives and her adventurous spirit
will live on in the many, many memories we cherish of our dear
friend. Thankfully, that old chain link fence wasn’t that
great…but the neighbor sure was!
In lieu of a contribution, please find someone, or something,
that is in need and do the deed!
Please join the Leane family at a gathering to share stories
about our friend Helen on Sunday, January 8 from 3:30-5:00
p.m. at Callahan-Edfast Mortuary.