Amy Lee (Trueblood) Kutch

Born Jan. 21, 1931, in Lawrence County, Indiana, Amy was the daughter of Francis Marion Trueblood (Jan. 31, 1907 to June 14, 1995) and Lavina Edith Thralls Trueblood (Dec. 3, 1909, to June 26, 1988).

Amy graduated in 1949 from Medora High School; she was the class valedictorian and a Medora Hornets cheerleader. During her senior year, Medora won the basketball sectional in Seymour with victories over Crothersville, Brownstown (double overtime), Vallonia and Freetown, then losing in the regional by one point to Paoli. The 1949 sectional is Medora’s lone sectional championship. [From Medora boys tourney history (johnharrell.net) ]

Upon graduation from high school, Amy began duties as a secretary at Arvin Industries in Columbus, where she met the love of her life, Thomas Kibby Kutch. They were married March 28, 1952, at the former Evangelical United Brethren Church in Medora. March 28 also was the wedding anniversary of Amy’s grandparents, Virgil and Jessie Hardy Trueblood. In honor of their 50th wedding anniversary, Tom and Amy traveled to England, Scotland and Wales; the trip was a gift from their children. They celebrated 64 years of marriage and shared an enduring love from Day 1 throughout their married lives. Their commitment is an inspiration to their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Amy’s career included positions in the Bartholomew County Treasurer’s office during the service of Nancy Ann Brown Poynter and as a legal secretary for attorney Michael Thomasson. She retired as administrative assistant to the branch manager/assistant vice president at the former Home Federal Savings Bank, where she handled new accounts and loan applications.

Upon retirement from Home Federal, Amy enrolled at Franklin College. Attending college was a lifetime dream, and she enjoyed her days on campus. Art courses taught by Dr. Svetlana Rakic and English courses taught by Dan Poe were among her favorites. Amy enjoyed her interactions with Franklin College students, too. She had many wonderful experiences through her classes.

During some of their retirement years, Tom and Amy spent winters in the Melbourne, Florida, area where they had opportunities to visit with daughter Jane and her family.

After Tom’s passing Aug. 18, 2016, Amy moved to Greenwood to live closer to daughter Ann and her family. She shared at the time of that move that her favorite job was being a mother, and she was a fabulous mom—guiding, mentoring, supporting and loving her children every single day. A true grammarian, Amy was still providing edits to spoken and written language until her final days.

In addition to being a loving, caring and supportive mother, Amy was an incredible grandmother. Her grandchildren brought her great joy, matched by the joy she brought to their lives. Tom and Amy enjoyed attending athletic, dancing and cheerleading events of their grandchildren. They also pitched in to help with babysitting duties of all of the grandchildren from time to time and accompanied them on trips near and far, including to Florida—visiting Key West, Hawaii, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Texas, Williamsburg, Virginia, and the Hoosier state. A family trip included to North and South Dakota and Canada. Tom and Amy enjoyed a Route 66 trip to California, a cruise to the Bahamas and traveling to The Maritimes after Amy took Canadian Studies courses of Dr. Helen Jean M. Nugent at Franklin College.

Amy was a longtime member of First United Methodist Church, Columbus. The church was a foundation throughout her life. Tom and Amy taught Sunday school a number of years. Amy was active in the church’s Miriam Circle many years and had served as secretary and was one of the founders of the church’s holiday Cookie Walk. She enjoyed serving on the church’s wedding committee. Tom and Amy enjoyed volunteering for the annual FUMC Smorgasbord, and she enjoyed returning for the Smorgasbord and Cookie Walk after moving to Greenwood. Serving the church’s Garden Group was a true pleasure for Amy. After Amy underwent surgery one time, members of the church came to the Kutch house to help get Amy’s plantings in place; she was so touched by that gesture.

Amy was a member of Psi Iota Xi Sorority, serving as treasurer during her daughter’s term as president. She received her 50-year certificate in 2010. She continued to work in the sorority’s Thrift Shop as a faithful auxiliary and honorary member.

Amy was active for many years with the Bartholomew County Democratic Party and served as campaign treasurer for a number of candidates.

Amy thoroughly enjoyed serving as a Book Buddies program volunteer and thrived on pouring knowledge and instilling the love of reading into the students with whom she worked. She was an avid reader and shared she was so excited when she learned to read growing up. Her love of reading endured throughout her lifetime.

Amy and Tom enjoyed the many years of friendship with the Supper Club members; this United Methodist crew gathered monthly for dinner followed by bridge or Domino’s.

Survivors include her children, Ann Barton (Kevin) of Greenwood, Thomas Eric Kutch of Smyrna, Georgia, Matthew Kibby Kutch (Kathy) of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and Jane Respess (William) of Satellite Beach, Florida; grandchildren, Mallory Caitlyn Kutch Collins (Ryan) of Homewood, Alabama, Courtney Kibby Kutch Cooper (Chase) of Tulsa, Oklahoma, James Thomas (J.T.) Barton (Ashley) of Indianapolis, Tricia Christine Barton (David Kuerbiss) of Jersey City, New Jersey, Sydney Adair Respess of Chicago, and Sheridan Lee Respess of Orlando, Florida; great‐granddaughters, Kibby Lee Cooper and Ellie Claire Cooper, both of Tulsa, Oklahoma; great-grandsons, Cameron James Cooper and Jackson Edmund Cooper, both of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and great-grandsons, Crosby Hayes Collins and Crawford Wells Collins, both of Homewood, Alabama; brother, Joe T. Trueblood (Judy) of Kansas City, Missouri, and sister-in-law, Shirley Trueblood, Seymour, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by sister, Roilyn Jeanne Trueblood; sister and brother-in-law, Carolyn Trueblood Freeman and Bernard “Sandy” Freeman; brother, Robert Francis Trueblood; and brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Joseph Alexander Kutch and Lynn Thompson Kutch, and a nephew.

The family wishes to thank First United Methodist Church, the Rev. Howard Boles and church members for their prayers and support.

The devotion of caregivers and the staff team of Independence Village of Greenwood has been tremendous. The Independence Village team members were so appreciated by Amy and her family.

Special thanks go to Dr. Timothy Nussbaum, St. Francis Hospital, Select Home Health, Homeview Health and Rehabilitation Center and Johnson County Senior Services.

The family expresses its gratitude and heartfelt appreciation to Affinity Care of Indiana for the care and compassion provided to Amy and her family.

The funeral service will be at noon Saturday, July 22, at First United Methodist Church, 618 Eighth Street, Columbus, with the Rev. Howard Boles officiating. Burial will be at Riverview Cemetery in Seymour.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until time of service at the church.

Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church Garden Group.

Myers-Reed Chapel is handling arrangements.