Gertrude B. Kinzer

Gertrude B. Kinzer, 96, of Ligonier passed away on October 14, 2024 at home. She was born on September 8, 1928, to John and Sarah (Rasnake) Charles in Cucumber, West Virginia. Gertie married William Ray Kinzer at the Shiloh Baptist Church in Ligonier, Indiana on Valentine’s Day in 1998.

Gertie had an extraordinarily strong faith and was known to have brought many people to Jesus. She read her Bible every morning and loved her church, Shiloh Baptist. She was very involved there, often singing and helping organize events, such as yard sales and the Blue Grass Gospel Jams. Gertie’s family remembers her as a sweet loving person, and as a wonderful mother and grandmother. She enjoyed quilting and working in her beautiful garden.

Gertie is survived by her husband, William Ray Kinzer of Ligonier; daughters, Jean (Warren Auld) Weber, Jackie (Kent) Taylor, Wanda (Claude) Shepherd; son, Bernard Whitaker; stepson, B. Ray Kinzer; grandchildren, Steven (Amanda) Weber, Nathan (Tara) Weber, Robyn (Robert) Radford, Tracy Tripp, Cheyenne Taylor, Anne Taylor, James Harter, Mary Whitaker, Jodi (John) Whitaker-Hackworth, Candy Ianotti, James Whitaker, Claudette (Lawrence) Shepherd, Kyle Kinzer, and Madison Kinzer; great grandchildren, Ashley, Riley, and Piper Weber, Lily, Abby, and Molly Weber, Kaitlyn Lung, Andrew Radford, Emily Dawson, Janette Tripp, Rebecca Tripp, Nathan Mullins, Aurora Mullins, Breanna Hackworth, Marissa Hackworth, and Michael Ianotti; and 9 great-great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her brothers, George, Lawrence, Landan, John L., and Elmer Charles; her late husband, George W. Whiteaker; daughters, Gaye Whiteaker, Joanne Harter, Janette Miles, and Judith Whiteaker; sons, Louie Whiteaker and Burley Whiteaker; grandsons, J.T. and Michael; and an infant grandson, Jamie Wellman.

A funeral service in honor of Gertie will be held at 11 AM on Thursday, October 17, 2024 at Shiloh Baptist Church, 709 Johnson St, Ligonier, IN 46767. Reverend Jimmy and Kathy Shepherd will officiate. Gertie will be laid to rest in Oak Park Cemetery with her first husband, George.

Friends and family will be received from 4-8 PM on Wednesday, October 16, 2024 at the church.

Memorial donations may be directed to Shiloh Baptist Church, 709 Johnson St, Ligonier, IN 46767.