Pauline Blackard Kiesel, 88, of Fort branch, IN, passed away on Thursday, January 8, 2009 at Transcendent Care of Owensville, IN, after a prolonged illness. She was surrounded by her family.

Ms. Blackard Kiesel born and lived her entire life in Fort Branch, IN. She was a homemaker and a babysitter, who doted on her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Pauline was a member of St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Fort Branch.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 43 years, Kenneth Blackard; her parents, Gilbert and Marla (Mamie) Graper Kruse; 2 brothers, Lawrence and Ivan Kruse; 3 sisters, Alma Kruse Henry Spain, Betty Ballard, and Delores Beard; 1 great-grandchild, Jamie Ray Blackard and her 2nd husband of 15 years, Cletus Kiesel.

Pauline is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Allen (Sarita) Blackard of Fort Branch; a daughter, Rita Speedy of Princeton, IN; 4 grandchildren, Jim (Lori) Blackard of Princeton, IN, Susan (David) Straeffer of Fort Branch, Tim (Angela) Speedy of Princeton, IN, Angie (Andy) Collins of Princeton, IN; 7 Great-grandchildren, Amanda and Christopher Straeffer of Fort Branch, Aerial, Megan, and Kiana Blackard of Princeton, Lane Deputy of Princeton, and Jordan Speedy of Princeton; 1 brother, Leo Kruse of Princeton, IN; and 1 sister, Hazel Schultheis of Haubstadt, IN.

Services will be at 10:00 A.M. on Tuesday, January 13, 2009 at the Stodghill Funeral Home located on Hwy. 168 West in Fort Branch, with Pastor Heumann of St. Paul’s United Church of Christ officiatibg. Burial will be in Walnut Hill Cemetery in Fort Branch, IN.

Visitation will be from 4:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. at the funeral home on Monday, January 12, 2009.