Smith, Russell Music Scholarship Fund

Donor Fund Story:

The Russell Smith Music Scholarship Fund was created January 1998 upon Russell W. Smith’s death as described in his Last Will and Testament. The fund is to provide a scholarship to a West Noble High School senior pursuing advanced musical education.

Mr. Smith showed his love for music through the many activities he participated in. Russell played drums in a band with Bill Cochran and a guy named Lemming. The band played at places including parks and the old high school, and during events such as “Kids’ Day,” a forerunner to the Marshmallow Festival in which merchants would give things away such as lollipops and ice cream and sponsor contests such as a chicken fly and a penny throw. Russell was married to Ester, and they had no children. Russell was a lifetime Ligonier area resident. He lived in an apartment above his business, The Toggery, which did dry cleaning and he lived there for about 20 years until his death in 1998. Russell ran the business from 1927 until selling it in 1968. Russell W Smith passed away at the age of 93. His wife Esther Thurwachter preceded him in death in 1968.