Patsy Joan "PJ" Kirkendall

Patsy Joan “PJ” Kirkendall, 91, of Russiaville, passed away on Wednesday, November 5, 2025.  She was born on September 3, 1934, the daughter of Floyd D. and Pearl J. (Jones) Shockley. She was raised in Indianapolis and attended Trinity Lutheran School before graduating from Warren Central High School in 1952. While in Indy she worked retail at L.S. Ayres and in the office at American States Insurance. 

On September 29, 1956, she married Robert Eugene “Bob” Kirkendall of Kokomo, IN who she’d met at a Rural Youth Conference the year prior.  She left city life behind to be a devoted farm wife.

Prior to starting a family, Patsy worked as a legal secretary in Kokomo. She was active in Beta Sigma Phi sorority and Westernnettes Extension Homemakers to service her community and foster friendship. After having children, Patsy devoted herself to caring for her family, always ready to step in and support her husband and children in whatever way was needed. When the family was raising veal, she advanced their efforts by promoting veal consumption through the American Veal Producers, manning taste testing booths at the Indiana State Fair. During planting and harvesting seasons, she served as a back-up Western School District school bus driver for Bob, ensuring no responsibility went unmet. Alongside her many contributions, she found personal joy in playing the piano and organ, bringing music into both her home and heart.

Following Bob’s passing in 1983, Patsy faced the challenges of being an older single mother while continuing to support her family. Nonetheless, she approached life with a resilient spirit, working in a medical office, as a restaurant hostess, and as a drugstore clerk — each new role taken on with the purpose of supporting her family in every way she could.

Alongside maintaining her livelihood, she returned to her roots by joining Redeemer Lutheran Church, participating in the Choraliers and hand bell programs. She also volunteered to teach hand bells at a senior center and to a church youth group. Beyond her musical involvement, she was active with the Howard County Historical Society and contributed to events such as the Seiberling Mansion Centennial celebration.

After retiring she continued to enjoy her musical interests and picked up bicycling. She participated in group rides around the state of Indiana and joined the Indiana Rails to Trails efforts to bring more bicycle path opportunities to Hoosiers across the state. 

Later in life she joined the Wellbrooke of Kokomo community where she was well loved and cared for by staff and other residents. The Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer congregation and school kids would visit and send her notes to provide their love and support.

Patsy made our family and community a better place. We are thankful for that and will love her forever. 

She is survived by her children Bret (Tonya) Kirkendall, Beth (Mark) Grimes, and Bradley (Shelly) Kirkendall; grandchildren Eric (Cathy) Kirkendall, Brittnie Kirkendall, Alexandra (Matt) Paras, Calyn Grimes, Braden Kirkendall, Connor Kirkendall, and Caroline Kirkendall; and four great grandchildren. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Bob Kirkendall, and infant sister Sarah Jane.

A private family service will be held and her burial will be at Sunset Memorial Garden Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in memoriam can be made to Trilogy Health Services Foundation or Redeemer Lutheran School. 

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