Owen Van Smith

Owen Van Smith, 68 of Foley, Alabama, formerly of Valparaiso, Indiana, passed away peacefully at home with his wife by his side on Thursday, January 22, 2026, following a hard-fought battle with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP). He was welcomed into Heaven at the pearly gates by his son, Jimmy. Owen was born May 5, 1957, in Gary, Indiana, to William and Loisdene (Towery) Smith. He graduated from Chesterton High School, class of 1975. In high school, Owen worked at Chesterton Furniture delivering furniture, and later as a diesel mechanic for Thoesen Tractor in Lynwood, Illinois and Patton Tractor in Hammond, Indiana. He began his career with Walsh & Kelly Inc. as a diesel mechanic and retired as the shop superintendent after 38 years of service.

Owen was a skilled “jack of all trades”. As a 5-year-old child without an instruction manual, Owen took apart his entire bicycle and put it back together flawlessly. He was a talented diesel mechanic and a hardworking man who loved his job and co-workers. He also enjoyed Formula 1 Racing, golfing, his kitties, Lickin Good Donuts and Diet Pepsi. Owen loved being a dad and was delighted to be a grandpa. He will be remembered as a caring and devoted husband, father, and grandfather. Owen will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

On July 2, 1983, Owen married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Vicki Jackson, who survives, along with their daughter, Allison (Joshua) Allen of Valparaiso, IN; grandchildren: Hudson James, Hannah Louise, and baby Henry Michael; 2 brothers; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Susan and Charles Fisher; nephew, Evan Fisher; niece, Kelli (John) Bernedo; great-niece, Natalia Bernedo; “brothers”: Skee, Tracy, and Al A.; and the guys at the shop. Owen was preceded in death by his son, James Carlos Smith; parents, William and Loisdene Smith; brother, Richard Smith; and mother-in-law and father-in-law, James and Grace Jackson.

A memorial visitation will be held on Saturday, January 31, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Moeller Funeral Home, 104 Roosevelt Road, Valparaiso, IN, with a memorial service beginning at 4:00 p.m. Owen will be laid to rest privately at Chesterton Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Vicki Smith for a future tribute to Owen.