Doris Branstetter

Nov. 27, 1917 – Dec. 20, 2021

Doris D. Branstetter, Crawfordsville, passed away Monday night in her residence. She was 104.

Born Nov. 27, 1917 in Sullivan County, Indiana, she was the daughter of Ceryl Downen and Ethel Downen.

Mrs. Branstetter was a long-time member of First Christian Church. She also belonged to Psi Iota Xi and a homemaker’s club.  She enjoyed sewing, playing bridge and golf, but most of all, loved baking and was known as the “Cookie Queen”. She taught school for several years and then went to work with her husband owning and operating the lumber yard, B and D Lumber.

She graduated from Sullivan High School and Purdue, after which she served in the U. S. Navy from 1943 until her honorable discharge in 1946. She married Don E. Branstetter on Feb. 9, 1947. He passed away March 11, 2005.

Survivors include two daughters, Carol Blunt (David) and Linda Branstetter; four granddaughters, Constance Wilcox, Christine Hlavaty, Beth Brock and Annie Smith; seven great-grandsons; one great-granddaughter; and brother, John Downen.

She was preceded in death by her husband; two daughters, Janice Branstetter and Pamela Hlavaty; and four siblings, Earl, Carl, Ruthanne and Martha.

Visitation is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 29th at Burkhart Funeral Home, 201 W. Wabash Avenue. Services, led by Pastor Darla Goodrich, will begin at 1 p.m., starting with military rites by the Navy and American Legion Post 72 honor guard. Burial will follow at Greenlawn Cemetery in Darlington.

Donations may be made to the charity of your choice.  Online condolences may be made at www.BurkhartFH.com.