Brendt Lewis Smith

Brendt L Smith, 64, of Winona Lake, Indiana passed away Thursday, April 18, 2024.  He passed peacefully under the attentive and loving care of the staff at Lutheran Kosciusko Hospital and Hospice care.

Brendt was born June 29, 1959, in Detroit, Michigan, the son of John and Virginia (Ginger) Smith, (both deceased).   When he was younger, he lived in Garden City, Michigan, then moved to Warsaw Indiana.  He graduated from Warsaw High School in 1977 then studied Industrial Technology at Illinois State University.  He also attended Indiana University.

He owned his own construction business (Smith Construction) for many years and was also a custom jeweler.  Brendt’s attention to detail allowed him to create many unique jewelry designs.

Brendt enjoyed being outdoors and on the water.  At Winona Lake he enjoyed swimming, boating, sailing and snorkeling, and in the winters he loved his home in Sarasota, Florida.  His passion for swimming led him to swim for a short time at Indiana University.  In addition, he loved to go to garage sales, estate sales, and loved the show “American Pickers” and was an avid storyteller.

On September 2, 1986, Brendt completed one of the most extraordinary feats in Kosciusko County.  His attempt to establish a world’s record for swimming the most lakes (52) in 24 hours was in honor of his 52-year-old father, John, who died of cancer.  An estimated $2,000 was raised, including about $1,700 from contributions taken at the lakes for the American Cancer Society.

He leaves behind his son, Braxton Smith (Columbia City IN); daughter, Presley Smith (Indianapolis, IN); step-daughter, Skylar Nusbaum (Warsaw IN); and three step-grandchildren, Boston, Milo, and Cooper.  Also surviving is his brother, Hal Smith (Winona Lake, IN); sisters, Christy Cuban (Winona Lake, IN); Teresa Beckwith (Grand Rapids, MI); his longtime companion, Katerina Chagan (Warsaw, IN); and his cousin, Stacey (Cindy) Smith (Paw Paw, MI).  As well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles and many friends.  

There will be a private service held for the family at Oakwood Cemetery in Warsaw Indiana on a future date.  Arrangements were entrusted to Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, Warsaw, Indiana.  

Memorial donations in Brendt's memory may be directed to the Animal Welfare League of Kosciusko County, 1048 S. 325 E, Pierceton, IN 46562.

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