Glen Osby Smith, 96, died Saturday, August 1, 2026 peacefully in his sleep at home. Glen was born a firecracker on July 4, 1930 in Pall Mall, Tennessee to Coy and Mallie Smith. He married Mary Willoudene “Willy” Mercer on May 15, 1949. Willy and Glen had two children, a daughter Marcia and son Darrell. They lived their married life in Henry and Rush counties. Glen retired from Ford in Connersville in the late 1980s and he and Willy packed up and moved to Williams, Indiana to enjoy their retirement near the Williams Dam. They returned to Rush County about ten years ago.

Glen, known as Osby in the bluegrass world, was a “polished” musician, especially on the mandolin. In the 1950s you could hear Osby on WCTW AM with his band The Rhythm Rangers. The Bluegrass legend Bill Monroe attempted to get Osby to join his band, but Osby declined putting his family’s stability above his music. But that didn’t stop him from traveling all over Indiana playing bluegrass in a wide range of locations from festivals, bars, backyards and living rooms. Although he’d play music with about anyone who asked, Osby and his group Stoney Lonesome were well known in the bluegrass community in southern Indiana in the 1990s and early 2000s. If he wasn’t playing bluegrass, you might find him fishing or attending Saturday morning auctions where he could get just about anything for $1.00. 

Glen is survived by his daughter, Marcia Roll formerly of New Castle currently of Mays who moved in with him the day Willy died and has been his sole and constant caregiver for the last 5 years, sisters-in-law, Sue Smith and Irene Smith, both of New Castle, brothers-in-law, Paul (Nikki) Mercer of Lewisville and Paul Lowhorn of Cambridge City, nine grandchildren: Steven Fleming of Evansville, Janelle (Daniel) Miner of Evansville, Bill (Emily) Policella of Michigan, Daryl (Susan) Jones of Carmel, Jodie Lorton of New Castle, Trina (Jason) Summers of Georgia, Bryana (JD) Hasz of Georgia, David (Angie) Smith of New York, and Kevin (Rachel) Smith of Florida, thirty great-grandchildren, twelve great-great- grandchildren and many other much loved family members. Glen was also survived by special friends Brian Leaver and Michael Cleveland. 

Glen was preceded in death by his parents, Coy and Mallie Smith, and in-laws Sam and Gertrude Mercer, his wife of 72 years, Willy Smith, his son, Darrell Smith, brothers, AC Smith, JD Smith, Paul Smith, and Clifford Smith and a sister Shirlie Williams. 

Funeral services will be on Friday, August 7, 2026, at 1:00 P.M. at Marshall and Erlewein Funeral Home in Lewisville, Indiana. Visitation will be from 11:00 am - 1:00 pm at the funeral home. Burial will follow the services at Glen Cove Cemetery in Knightstown.