Paulanna Y. Kirtley

Paulanna Y. “Pepper” Kirtley, 94, retired co-publisher of the Tri County Truth in Churubusco and widow of James H. Kirtley, passed away at 2:30 a. m. on Thursday, September 12, 2013 at the Hendrick Medical Center in Abilene, Texas. She had been in declining health for several months. Mrs. Kirtley was born on December 14, 1918 in Rochester, the daughter of Paul S. and Catherine (Clarey) Blacketor. As a girl she moved to Huntington with her parents and graduated from Huntington High School. On September 3, 1942 she was married in Lakeland, Florida to James H. Kirtley, and attended Florida State University. Residing in Churubusco for over 60 years, she attended IPFW in Fort Wayne, and along with her husband worked as the co-publisher and sometimes editor of the Tri-County Truth for 35 years, retiring in 1981. In addition to her position as a prominent business person in Churubusco, her life was marked by community service and memberships in several organizations. She was a member of the Churubusco United Methodist Church, where she had served as a church trustee, administrative board secretary, Chancel Choir member, and an adult Sunday School teacher for 16 years. She was a past member of the Whitley County Art Guild, the Woman’s Cultural Club in Churubusco, and the Sigma Eta Fine Arts Sorority. She was a member of People Preserving History, was past secretary of the Churubusco Chamber of Commerce, and served on the board of directors of the Churubusco Public Library for 15 years. She also wrote the column “Salt and Pepper” for the Columbia City Post & Mail for several years. In 1992 she received the honorary “Lifetime Achievement Award” from the Churubusco Chamber of Commerce, and was honored as the Churubusco Turtle Days parade marshal in 1997. Mr. Kirtley preceded her in death on May 16, 1984. The surviving relatives include her daughter Kathy Ann (Joseph) Aldridge of Abilene, Texas; her granddaughter Alison (Neil) Sengupta of Columbia, South Carolina; and her great-grandchildren Noah, Kris, and Bela Sengupta. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a brother Gordon Blacketor on July 25, 1980. Funeral services will be held at 11 a. m. on Tuesday, September 17, 2013, at the Churubusco United Methodist Church with Pastor Corinne Boruff-Stucker, officiating. The family will receive friends at Sheets & Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco on Monday from 4 to 8 p. m., or at the church one hour prior to the service. Interment will be in the Eel River Cemetery, south of Churubusco. Local arrangements were under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. The family requests memorials be directed to Churubusco United Methodist Church, 750 N. Main Street, Churubusco, IN 46723; or the Churubusco Public Library, 116 N. Mulberry Street, Churubusco, IN 46723