Kenneth V. Brashaber, 93, of Rushville, died Oct. 15 in Rushville. He was born Jan. 25, 1930, in Bloomington to Ivan H. and Mary Elizabeth (Edwards) Brashaber. He was a 1951 graduate of Purdue University with a Bachelor of Science in agriculture. He received his Master of Science in agriculture from Purdue in 1956.

He was a founding member of the Purdue chapter of the FarmHouse Fraternity. He served in the U.S. Air Force in 1952-1953 and was discharged as a 1st Lieutenant. 

Kenneth purchased farmland in 1961 in Rush County where he and his  wife raised their three children. He taught ag at Mays High School from 1951-1965 and then went to Rushville Consolidated High School from 1965-1989, when he retired after 38 years of teaching. Teaching and working with 4-H and FFA youth were his first loves and his avocation of farming was his second love. His words, “I felt that I had the best job in the world being the ag teacher in the Rush County school system.” His love of community, agriculture, teaching, farming, his students, faith and family were of most importance.

During his professional career he was involved in the Rushville United Teacher Association and the Indiana Vocational Agricultural Teachers Association, where he served as president, secretary and district director. He was a life member of the National Vocational Agricultural Teachers Association.

His awards and honors were numerous and included “Outstanding Teacher of Vocational Agriculture” in 1989, honorary Hoosier Farmer Degree in 1971 and honorary American Farmer Degree in 1978. He was awarded a place in the Rush County Agricultural Hall of Fame as agriculture teacher where he coached several winning judging teams at local, district, state and national levels. He was also a “Circle of Corydon” recipient.

He loved his community and was very active in many local organizations. He was involved in the Mays Lions Club, member of the Rush County Fair Board, 4-H leader and Council for many years. He served as Rush County Commissioner three terms where he was instrumental on a steering committee of the Flat Rock River project. He was a member of the Center Township Advisory Board, and served on the boards of RMH, ICAP and Three Rivers Solid Waste District. Kenneth was also active at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Rushville where he taught Sunday school.

Services were Oct. 21 in St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, with Pastor Lonnie Goen presiding. Burial was in Rushville’s East Hill Cemetery. The Rush County Veteran’s Honor guard provided military rites at the cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Rush County Community Foundation; choice of any Brashaber scholarship fund, the Rushville Chapter of FFA, Rush Memorial Hospital Foundation or St. Paul’s United Methodist Church.