Catherine E. "Katy" Hortemiller's Obituary
Catherine E. “Katy” Hortemiller, age 78 of Batesville, died Sunday, March 19, 2017. Born January 16, 1939 in Ripley County Indiana, she is the daughter of Bessie (Nee: Grills) and Paul Wissel. She married James Hortemiller October 4, 1958 at St. Anthony’s Church in Morris. Katy was an executive secretary at Batesville Casket Company 23 years before retiring. A member of the Knights of St. John’s Ladies Auxiliary, she is a past president in addition to being secretary and treasurer for 19 years. She also served 10 years as secretary of the Knights of St. John’s International. Katy was a member of St. Louis Church, the Phi Beta Psi Sorority, the Batesville Beautification League and the Batesville Red Hat Ladies.
Although generous with giving of her time and talents, Katy enjoyed many interests in her free time. An avid gardener, she tended to both her flower beds and a vegetable garden. The excess from the garden was canned so it could be enjoyed over the winter. A good cook, her homemade vegetable soup and peach pie were huge family favorites and they looked forward each year to the traditional Christmas meal of roast beef, mashed potatoes and corn. She looked forward to all the holidays so she could decorate the house. Other hobbies included cross stitching, attending sporting events, working jig saw puzzles and playing cards most nights. Her family teased that Katy apparently had a weakness for shopping and didn’t mind the drive to the Belterra Casino.
She is survived by her husband Jim; daughter Lisa Wallpe of Greensburg; son Greg Hortemiller of Cincinnati; sisters Eleen Weisenbach of Batesville, Cornelia Hoffman of Dover, Indiana; grandchildren Erin Smith, Jordan Wallpe, Sarah Wallpe, Alison Wallpe, Anna Wallpe, Evan Wallpe and great grandchildren Lila Smith, Landon Smith and Rhett Wallpe. In addition to her parents, she is also preceded in death by grandson Adam Hortemiller.
Visitation is Wednesday, March 22nd, from 4 – 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Funeral services are 10 a.m. Thursday, March 23rd, at St. Louis Church with Rev. Stan Pondo officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family request memorials to the Knights of St. John Scholarship Fund, the Jerry Becker Memorial Fund or the Adam Hortemiller Memorial Scholarship Fund.
What’s your fondest memory of Catherine?
What’s a lesson you learned from Catherine?
Share a story where Catherine's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Catherine you’ll never forget.
How did Catherine make you smile?