Kenneth V. Brashaber

Kenneth V. Brashaber, 93, of Rushville, passed away October 15, 2023 in Rushville. Kenneth was born January 25, 1930 in Bloomington to Ivan H. & Mary Elizabeth (Edwards) Brashaber. He was a 1947 graduate of Bloomington High School, 1951 graduate of Purdue University with a BS in Agriculture and his MS in Agriculture from Purdue University in 1956. He was a founding member of the Purdue chapter of the FarmHouse Fraternity. He served in the US Air Force in 1952-1953 and was discharged as a 1st Lieutenant. He married his high school sweetheart, Catherine “Katie” (Wright) on June 26, 1950 and she preceded him in death on February 2, 2002. Kenneth married Charlotte (Curry) Daniel on August 24, 2002 and she preceded him in death on February 3, 2022. Kenneth purchased farmland in Rush County in 1961 where he and Katie raised their three children. He taught Ag at Mays High School from 1951-1965 and then went to Rushville Consolidated High School from 1965-1989 when he retired after 38 years of teaching. His vocation of teaching and working with 4-H and FFA youth were his first love and his avocation of farming was his second love. His words, “I felt that I had the best job in the world being the Ag teacher in the Rush County school system”. His love of community, agriculture, teaching, farming, his students, faith and family were of most importance! During his professional career he was involved in the Rushville United Teacher Assoc., the Indiana Vocational Agricultural Teachers Assoc. where he served as president, secretary and district director and was a life member of the National Vocational Agricultural Teachers Assoc. His awards and honors were numerous and included “Outstanding Teacher of Vocational Agriculture” in 1989, honorary Hoosier Farmer Degree in 1971 and honorary American Farmer Degree in 1978. He was awarded a place in the Rush County Agricultural Hall of Fame as agriculture teacher where he coached several winning judging teams at local, district, state and national levels. He was also a “Circle of Corydon” recipient. He loved his community and was very active in many local organizations. He was involved in the Mays Lions Club, member of the Rush County Fair Board, 4-H leader and Council for many years. He served as Rush County Commissioner 3 terms where he was instrumental on steering committee of the Flat Rock River project, Member of the Center Twp. Advisory Board, served on the Boards of RMH, ICAP and three Rivers Solid Waste District. Kenneth was also active at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Rushville where he taught Sunday school. He will be missed by his son, Philip (Karen) Brashaber of Rushville, his daughter, Susan (Terry) Barnett of Lebanon, his sister, Carolyn (David) Smith of San Antonio, TX. His grandchildren, Keith (Debbie) Brashaber, Julie (Adam) Dunigan, James (Anna) Brashaber, Meredith (Jake) Federle, Chase (Andrea) Barnett and Ashley Howell and his great grandchildren, Benjamin Federle and Jack & Emma Barnett. He was preceded in death by his parents, his two wives, a daughter, Deborah Howell and a sister, Joanna B. (Everett) Smith. Services for Kenneth will be held at 11 AM Saturday, October 21, 2023 in St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, Rushville, with Pastor Lonnie Goen presiding. Friends are welcome to visit the family from 4-8 PM Friday, October 20 in St. Paul’s United Methodist Church. Burial will be in Rushville’s East Hill Cemetery. The Rush County Veteran’s Honor guard will provide military rites at the cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Rush County Community Foundation; choice of any Brashaber scholarship fund, the Rushville Chapter of FFA, Rush Memorial Hospital Foundation or St. Paul’s United Methodist Church.

Tributes

Kenneth V. Brashaber

January 25, 1930 - October 15, 2023