Mary Katherine "Kay" Smitherman

Mary Katherine (Kay) (Stohler) Smitherman, 91, Mooresville, passed away on Tuesday, September 24, 2024. She was born in Anderson, Indiana on June 5, 1933 to Lloyd Jordan Stohler and Velma Katherine (Bronnenberg) Stohler.

She attended School 60 in Indianapolis and graduated from Shortridge High School in 1951. She graduated from Indiana University in January of 1955 with a Bachelor of Science in Education Studies. She married Bruce Ronald Smitherman on April 1, 1956. She first taught in 1955 in Speedway, then kindergarten in Japan, and then 3rd grade at West Newton elementary school before taking several years off to have her family. She returned to teaching and began teaching 1st grade in Mooresville in 1977 and later retired in 1998. She earned a Master of Education degree from DePauw University in 1980.

Kay loved children and teaching. She made a positive impact in the lives of many students, colleagues, friends, and families.

She was a member of Tri Kappa Sorority, Decatur Garden Club, Delta Kappa Gamma Teaching Sorority, and Daughters of the America Revolution.

Kay is preceded in death by her parents (1982), her husband (1994), her eldest daughter Elise S. Montoya (2022), and her sister Martha Louise (Stohler) Baumler (2018). She is survived by her daughter Kristin Kay Smitherman, brother Lloyd Robert Stohler (Sylvia), son-in-law Dr. Fernando R. Montoya, grandsons Ethan Daniel and Alec Benjamin Montoya, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Kay’s Life Celebration® Service will begin at 6:00 pm on Saturday, September 28th at Carlisle – Branson Funeral Service & Crematory, 39 E. High St., Mooresville. Prior to the service, family and friends are invited to visit from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm. She will be laid to rest in Anderson Memorial Park, 6805 Doctor M.L.K. Jr Blvd, Anderson, after a brief committal service on Monday, September 30th beginning at 10:00 am.

In lieu of flowers, donations would be welcomed to the ALS Association, PO Box 37022, Boone, IA. 50037-0022 or Autism Speaks, PO Box 37148, Boone, IA. 50037-0148.