Kathryn Branstetter passed away peacefully Friday morning, March 29, 2024, at her home outside Darlington, at the age of 96.
Kathryn or “Katie” was an 80-plus year member of the Darlington United Methodist Church where she sang in the choir and served as Sunday School superintendent, and a 75-plus year member of OES. She spent many years as a farm wife, gardening, canning and helping her husband. Later on, she worked as a bookkeeper for both Darlington school and then North Montgomery School Corporation. She was a Girl Scout Leader, Mother Advisor of Rainbow, and member of both Home Economics and Ladies Aid. She was an avid life-long card player, enjoyed playing the piano, croqueting, bowling and playing golf. When she became less active, she enjoyed knitting, bird watching and crossword puzzles.
Born Sept. 24, 1927, at Darlington, she was the daughter of J. Everett Butler and Margaret “Maggie” Hood Butler. She graduated from Darlington High School and married her forever-friend and classmate, James P. “Jimmy” Branstetter on Dec. 13, 1947. He passed away July 25, 2020.
She was loved and will be missed by many including her surviving family, which includes: three daughters, Kathy Church of Bloomington, Diana (David) Binford of Crawfordsville and Paula (Jim) Smith of Crawfordsville; five grandchildren, Amber (Scott) Gilstrap of Bedford, Jason Douglas (Nancy Weliever) of Darlington, Marci (Khelli) Leitch of Columbia City, Cody (Kayla) Smith of Crawfordsville and Eric Church of Bloomington; nine great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Jim; sister Louise and brother Marion.
Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 13 at Burkhart Funeral Home. Services will begin at 1 p.m., led by Pastor Dirk Caldwell. Burial will follow at Greenlawn Cemetery in Darlington.
Memorial donations may be made to the Darlington United Methodist Church or the Darlington Library.
