Shirley Mae Highsmith Kuykendall

Shirley Mae Highsmith Kuykendall, 89 of West Terre Haute, passed away on Tuesday, May 14, 2024 in her residence.  She was born in Vigo County on February 18, 1935 and was the last living child of Chester Highsmith and Mabel Pea Highsmith.

Shirley is survived by three daughters; Debra Couch (Ken), Cynthia Wright (Gilbert), and Michele Kuykendall, her grandchildren; Jennifer Geraghty (Shaun), Robert Wright (Christine), and Trey W. Kofler (Sandy).   Also surviving are her great grandchildren; William Geraghty, Aubrey Seaver-Kofler, Marcella Geraghty, Molly Heidorn, Emily Heidorn, Mikayla Wright, and Brianna Wright.   Bonus grandchildren, Abby (Dean) Mucha, and Kevin (Jennifer) Couch, and bonus great grandchildren, Josiah Couch, Caleb Couch, and Sydney Mucha. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Robert “Bob” Kuykendall, and siblings; Virgil Highsmith (Maryanne), Robert Highsmith (Marge), Chester “Buddy” Highsmith (Shirley), John “Jack” Highsmith, Tom Highsmith (Charlene), Virginia Waugh (George), Martha Duguid (Don), and Mary Penman (Don). 

Shirley graduated from Concannon High School in 1952 and was a member of Bethany United Church of Christ and served on the All High School Concannon Reunion Planning Committee.  She enjoyed the Square Dancers and her friends from Rural Youth that her and Bob were members of.  She also enjoyed traveling to various locations and sights with her husband Bob and good friends, and a special highlight was going on her cruise for her 70^th birthday with her three daughters.  One of her greatest enjoyments was being able to see and visit with all her nieces and nephews, but most of all her family loved seeing the joy on her face when her grandchildren and great grandchildren came to see her, she was always so excited.

Funeral services will be held at Fitzpatrick Funeral Home, 220 North 3^rd St., West Terre Haute, IN on Saturday, May 25, 2024 at 1:00 PM, with Pastor Joe Irwin and Pastor Aidan Rogers officiating.   Burial will follow in South Vigo (Black) Cemetery.  Visitation is scheduled for Saturday from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM in the funeral home.  The family would like to thank VNA/Hospice of the Wabash Valley for the compassionate care given to Shirley.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Bethany United Church of Christ or VNA/Hospice of the Wabash Valley, in her memory.

Online condolences can be left at:   www.fitzpatrick-funeralhome.com