Virginia "Ginny" F. Tyson

Virginia “Ginny” F. (Smith) Tyson, 84, passed away peacefully on September 19, 2026, at Waterford Crossing Health Center, Goshen.

She was born July 2, 1942 in Goshen to Theodore H. and Mabel G. (Cassel) Smith. She was the fifth of eight children.

On February 14, 1998, she married Donald O. Tyson. He died June 17, 2004.

Surviving are her children, Kirk (Anne) Lehman, Goshen, and Natalie (Lon) Mast, South Bend; step-daughter, Heidi Wagner, Crystal Lake, IL; three grandchildren, Drew Mast, Mount Prospect, IL, Kelsey (Danny) Toumarkine, Reno, NV, and Alex Mast, Leander, TX; one great-granddaughter, Delilah Mast, Leander, TX; two sisters, Jean (Ed) Slater, Bluffton, SC, Ellie (Dave) Fisher, Burlington, NC; two brothers, Joseph (Yoshiko) Smith, Carmichael, CA, James (Marilyn) Smith, Goshen; and numerous loving nieces, nephews, and extended family and friends who will miss her dearly.

Along with her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a daughter-in-law, Marilynn Lehman; sisters, Mary Jo Cotherman and Louise Barner; a brother, Theodore Smith, Jr; and former spouses Keith Lehman and Wayne Wagner.

A 1960 graduate of Millersburg High School, Ginny was a long-time real estate broker in Elkhart County. She was a life member of the Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Ginny enjoyed her early retirement years in Las Cruces, NM, before moving back to the Goshen area. She loved golfing, bowling, collecting antiques and assembling puzzles. She was a fiercely competitive card and bingo player.

The family wishes to express their gratitude to Waterford Crossing for their loving and compassionate care.

Private family services will be held and burial will take place at Violett Cemetery. A Celebration of Life will be held at VFW Post 985, Goshen on November 14, 2026 from 1pm-3pm.

Memorial donations may be given to the Alzheimer’s Association.