NOFFSINGER, Birdie Faye
Of Mattawan

Beloved, wife, mother and friend, Birdie F. Noffsinger went to eternal rest with her Lord on July 18, 2008. Born December 30, 1927 in Parker, AZ, she was the daughter of Neely and Myrtle George, the third of five children. She attended school in Parker and then completed high school in Redding, CA. She married Clyde B. Smith, in 1946. As a mother of three young sons, she experienced one of life's unexpected challenges as Clyde died of cancer in 1953. She moved to Defiance, OH with her three sons, to live with Clyde's parents and it was there, while attending the Church of God, that she met Don Noffsinger. Birdie and Don were married May 21, 1955 and have enjoyed 53 years of marriage. She mothered an additional son with Don, prior to suffering a later miscarriage. Aside from her joy as a mother, while Birdie and Don were living in San Diego, CA, she attended San Diego Junior College, earning her degree in nursing. She worked as a Medical LPN at Community Hospital in Anderson, IN. She left nursing in 1973 to devote more time with Don as he served as President of Warner Press, Inc. in Anderson. She then returned to college to pursue her talents in art, receiving her BA Degree from Anderson University in 1978, the same year her youngest son, Mark graduated from college. She then served as Director of the Art Gallery for Anderson University. Birdie and Don moved to Kalamazoo, MI, in 1993, for retirement, near their son Mark and his family. Birdie did not think of retirement as time to rest, rather she sought opportunities to serve her Lord and be involved in His teachings. She taught Sunday School at Westwood Church of God, was a leader in Bible Study Fellowship and was founder and leader of the Stephen Ministry Program, both in Anderson and at Westwood. She found great joy and satisfaction in sharing with others, the love of her Lord, Jesus Christ. Birdie has fought a courageous battle with Alzheimer's disease over the past 10 years. Even though many areas of her mind did not function, she never lost sight of her saving grace and salvation in Christ. Birdie leaves behind her husband, Don; four sons, Gregory L. Smith (Karen) of East Stroudsburg, PA, Ronald D. Smith (Pam) of Anderson, IN, Randall G. Smith (Cindy) of Westfield, IN and Dr. Mark A. Noffsinger (Lindsey) of Mattawan, MI; nine grandchildren; two great-grandchildren - all with her legacy of love. She also leaves two sisters, Ave Manke of Watsonville, CA and Mary Williams of Quarryville, PA. Preceding her in death were two brothers, Neal and Hurley. Visitation and viewing with family and friends will be held from 5-8 PM on Monday at the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Westside Chapel, 3926 S. 9th St. A funeral service of celebration will be held at Westwood Church of God, 811 Gorham Lane, Kalamazoo at 11 AM on Tuesday, July 22, 2008. Private family interment will follow in Maplewood Cemetery, Anderson, IN. Memorial donations may be made to: the Westwood Church of God or the Alzheimer's Association. Please visit online at www.langelands.com to sign the register book or leave a condolence to the family.
269-343-1508
Published in the Kalamazoo Gazette on 7/19/2008 (Posted by a VOLUNTEER-NO family connection)