Kaye H. Whitehead

Kaye Hurst Whitehead of Mt. Pleasant, Ind. made her journey to heaven on Thursday, September 9, 2021 at Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie.
Born to Harry Hurst and Laura Shelburne Hurst on December 17, 1953, Kaye was the first of five children. Kaye's passion for agriculture started at an early age on her family farm in Cox's Creek, Kentucky. She pursued that passion to the University of Kentucky where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture.
Kaye joined the staff of Ciba-Geigy as an agricultural sales expert and moved to New Castle, Ind. In January of 1976 she met Bill Whitehead and they married in December of that year. Kaye joined the farming operations at their Mt. Pleasant home where she and Bill raised their two children, Eugene and Lucy. For her farming efforts, Kaye was recognized as the Indiana Prairie Farmer Master Farmer.
Kaye's love for farming was matched only by her faith in God. She was a very active member of Harris Chapel Church of the Nazarene and taught Sunday School for more than a decade. Along with her time with her fellow congregants, she also greatly enjoyed spending time and making cookies with her three grandchildren, Will, Alex and Frankie.
Among her many awards, accomplishments and accolades, Kaye served as a member of Delaware County Farm Bureau and President for 20 years. She was the Indiana Farm Bureau Farm Wife of the Year in 1984; Delaware County Republican Chair; Farm Credit Mid-America Board Member; Ivy Tech State Board of Trustees Member; IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital Board Member; National Pork Board Member; served on the Indiana Pork Producers; was a graduate of the inaugural class of the Indiana Ag Leadership Institute; Founding Member of the Board of Advisors for the Carnegie Organization in 1979; Ag Advisory Committee Member for former Vice President Dan Quayle, Senator Richard Lugar, Representative David MacIntosh, and Representative Mike Pence; was an Indiana Sagamore of the Wabash Award Recipient in 1987; and was honored to be a Kentucky Colonel.
Kaye is survived by her husband of 44 years, Bill; mother Laura; son Eugene (Tara) Whitehead; daughter Lucy (Matt) Keller; sisters Marie (Larry) Rogers, Anne (Tony Greer) Hurst; brother Chris (Tracy) Hurst; and three grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her father Harry Hurst and brother Scott Hurst.
Calling hours will be held at Harris Chapel Church of the Nazarene, 10450 S. Co. Rd. 544 East in Selma, from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Monday, September 13 and one hour prior to services on Tuesday.
A Celebration of Life for Kaye will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, September 14, 2021 at Harris Chapel Church of the Nazarene in Selma.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent in Kaye's name to Harris Chapel Church of the Nazarene, 10450 S. Co. Rd. 544 E, Selma, IN 47383.
Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.meeksmortuary.com.