It is with the heaviest of hearts and profound shock that we share the devastating news of the sudden and unexpected passing of Loretta June Huff-Smith. The 94-year-old Bremen, Indiana, resident departed peacefully at 7:21 p.m. on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, surrounded by her beloved family, bringing a gentle close to a life rich in faith, devotion, and community spirit.
Loretta Hochstetler was born on June 25, 1931, to Stephen and Edna (Ewald) Hochstetler. Her upbringing was based on Christian values and family, which influenced every decision she made. She wed James B. Huff on June 26, 1949, and they worked together for 63 years until his death on January 23, 2012. Later, on January 1, 2020, she married John Smith, who survived her and gave her consolation throughout her last years.
Loretta was a devout Christian who used her religion to inspire thousands of people via the Bremen Holy Walk, a beloved yearly event that she and Jim organized on their farm for thirty years. In a custom that demonstrated her dedication to witnessing and hospitality, this nativity reenactment attracted tourists from all around the area, providing spiritual inspiration and promoting communal cohesion.
Loretta loved spending time with her children, grandkids, and great-grandchildren spanning generations; family was the happy center of her universe. Three children—Carlene (Tony) Leeper, Max (Linda) Huff, and Rex (Kerry) Huff—her husband John Smith, eleven grandchildren, twenty great-grandchildren, and a number of nieces and nephews make up her surviving family. Her days were filled with warmth and purpose as a result of the enduring recollections of their shared love.
Though her professional path aligned closely with supporting the family farm, Huff’s Hill Dairy Farm, Loretta’s true calling shone in her roles as wife, mother, and grandmother, nurturing with unwavering love and encouragement. Her home became a haven of comfort, where gatherings reinforced the importance of faith and kinship in a changing world. In Bremen, her presence exemplified the strength found in devotion and quiet generosity.
Loretta June Huff-Smith’s legacy endures as a tribute to a life well lived through steadfast faith, familial love, and community impact that inspired those around her. Visitation will occur from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Monday, January 12, 2026, at Bremen United Methodist Church, followed by the funeral service at noon, officiated by Pastor Max Milton and Pastor Chuck Krieg, with burial in Bremen Cemetery. Her memory will continue to guide and comfort the many lives she enriched.