Jeff Smithburn of Brownsburg, IN, passed away on August 23, 2026. He was born in Lafayette, Indiana, on June 30, 1941, to Charles E. and Edna Anderson Smitburn. Reared in Monticello, IN, he often rhapsodized on its being an idyllic place to grow up. His parents owned a retail business in downtown Monticello from 1946 to 1974 until a tornado destroyed much of the town.

 In 1959, he graduated from Monticello High School, where he played basketball for the “Tioga Indians” and was a member of the 1957 Sweet Sixteen team. A lifetime Hoosier, he lived in Rochester, South Bend, Bloomington, North Manchester, Wabash and Indianapolis.

Following high school, he undertook (according to him) a “mostly wasted several semesters” at Indiana University Bloomington, claiming to have "majored in beer and skipping classes.” Wisely, he joined the Army in the fall of 1961 and was assigned to the U.S. Army Security Agency base in Okinawa, Japan, as a Morse Code interceptor.

 It was here that he discovered Tang Dynasty poetry. Honorably discharged late in 1964, he married Janet Kay Armstrong of LaFontaine, IN. They became parents to Erika, Jennifer, and Erin.

 While simultaneously pursuing an accounting degree at Manchester College, Jeff began writing for the Wabash Plain Dealer. He quickly became part of the self-described “Jungle Men,” young journalists whose favorite motto was “Sacred cows make the best hamburger.” After graduating, he was hired by Price Waterhouse, South Bend. The hiatus from journalism, however, was temporary, for missing the newsroom and possibly the “Jungle Men,” he accepted a position at the Bloomington Herald-Telephone as City Editor and columnist. Later, Price Waterhouse lured him back, this time to head human resources and college recruiting for the Notre Dame region.

 In 1985, he married his childhood friend, Susan Hughes Gambold and moved to Indianapolis, where he worked for Price Waterhouse and Simon Property Group, continuing freelance writing for Indianapolis Monthly and the Indianapolis Star. Jeff adopted Susan’s by-then adult daughters, Lori Fulton and Lisa Lutz. Together, they have enjoyed ten delightful grandchildren and a new great-granddaughter.

 In recent years, Jeff spoke often of gratitude for the many blessings: being born in the United States, outings with friends at their Lake Freeman cottage, traveling the world, and attending concerts of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and International Violin Competition of Indianapolis. To amuse himself and others, he decorated his letters with old stamps . . . each envelope a work of art. He felt it kept the U.S. Post Office on their toes.

Along with Indiana University basketball, Jeff’s passion and obsession have been reading and writing. His personal journal, Bullets, that he described as “a conversation with himself,” became a blog. As one who valued honesty and integrity, he viewed every misstep with a journalist’s eye and loved calling it out. His treasured books contained copious marginal notes (his conversation with the author), and he revisited and dated each new read. A lifelong patriot, he was thankful for the Founding Fathers and principles on which the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights were conceived. His favorite charity was Judicial Watch.

 Preceding Jeff in death were his parents and brother, Prof. J. Eric Smithburn of South Bend, IN.

Survivors include Susan, his wife of 41 years, daughters Erika Kanczuzewski, Jennifer Smithburn, Erin Marty (Todd), Lori Fulton, Lisa Lutz (Ron), ten grandchildren, a new great granddaughter, and his treasured nephew, Scott Smithburn, with whom he had a special relationship.

Burial has already occurred at the Monticello Riverview Cemetery, arranged by Roscka Roth & Clapper Funeral Home, Monticello.

 A celebration of Jeff will be held at the funeral home on Sept. 5, with Mingling and Memories (11am to 1pm). The service will begin at 1pm, with nephew Nathan LaGrange of Gainesville, GA, presiding.

Contributions may be made to: The White County Historical Society, https://whitecountyhistorical.com; Judicial Watch, www.judicial/watch.org; or The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, 32 E. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46204