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Paulanna Y. 'Pepper' Kirtley

Paulanna Y. "Pepper" Kirtley, 94, of Abilene, TX, and a former resident of Huntington, IN, died Thursday, Sept. 12, 2013, at 2:30 a.m. at the Hendrick Medical Center, in Abilene, TX.

Mrs. Kirtley graduated from Huntington High School and attended Indiana-Purdue University, Fort Wayne, and Florida State University. She had served as co-publisher and editor of the Tri-County Truth for 35 years, retiring in 1981. She had also written a column for the Columbia City Post & Mail for several years.

A resident of Churubusco for more than 60 years, she was a member of the Churubusco United Methodist Church and had served as a church trustee, administrative board secretary, Chancel Choir member and adult Sunday school teacher. She had been a member of the Whitley County Art Guild, Woman's Cultural Club in Churubusco, Sigma Eta Fine Arts Sorority and People Preserving History. She had served as secretary of the Churubusco Chamber of Commerce and one the board of directors of the Churubusco Public Library. She received an honorary Lifetime Achievement Award from the Churubusco Chamber of Commerce in 1992 and was the Churubusco Turtle Days parade marshal in 1997.

She was born Dec. 14, 1918, in Rochester to Paul S. and Catherine Clarey Blacketor. She married James H. Kirtley on Sept. 3, 1942, in Lakeland, FL. Her husband preceded her in death on May 16, 1984.

Survivors include a daughter, Kathy Ann (Joseph) Aldridge, of Abilene, TX; a granddaughter, Alison (Neil) Sengupta, of Columbia, SC; and two great-grandchildren.

Calling is Monday, Sept. 16, 2013, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Sheets & Childs Funeral Home, 206 N. Main St., Churubusco. A service will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2013, at 11 a.m., with calling one hour prior to the service, at the Churubusco United Methodist Church. Rev. Corinne Boruff-Stucker will officiate. Interment will be at the Eel River Cemetery, near Churubusco.

Memorial gifts may be made to the Churubusco United Methodist Church, 750 N. Main St., Churubusco, IN 46723; or the Churubusco Public Library, 111 S. Mulberry St., Churubusco, IN 46723.