Susan (Kinkle) Partenheimer

Susan K. Partenheimer, 91, of Princeton passed away Sunday, June 7, 2026 at her home.  Born April 11, 1935, in Evansville. Susan was the first child of newlyweds, Edward K. and Helen E. (Bennett) Kinkle, who were both graduates of Evansville College.

Susan married Verner P. Partenheimer on August 2, 1958. Their marriage was performed at the United Church of Christ, her family’s congregation with a reception at the Evansville Country Club. They honeymooned at Greenbriar Resort Hotel in Virginia and a follow up trip both up and down the Appalachian trail.

On August 28, 1960, Philip Edward Partenheimer was born. The family migrated to Fort Gordon in Augusta, GA where Vern served the first six months as a graduate of the US Army reserved officers during training corps. The family returned home in 1962, but in July Vern was called for further duty with the 4/17th Quarter Master Corp of Evansville.

Susan and Vern continued to grow their family with a son, Robert Scott, born in 1963 and a daughter, Pamela Susan, in 1970.

Susan attended Bosse High School for the first three years followed by attending Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri. Afterwards she studied three years at the Indiana University School of Business in Bloomington, Indiana. Susan was one of three female students. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Education. While at IU she was a member of the Alpha Chi Omega Sorority. Susan spent two years employed as Executive Assistant Director of the School of Business Library (during which she was helping Vern as he completed his last two years of law school).

Susan worked at her local Presbyterian Church including positions both at the local level, regionally, and nationally; including a major group meeting of elected officials held in Atlanta which successfully joined the North and South fractions of the Presbyterian Church as a single organization. Susan served on the Women’s Association, a Deacon, and an Elder. She was a current member of Princeton Presbyterian Church.

Beginning as a teenager at the Evansville Country Club, she became an active bridge player and in her adult years as a member of the club. Susan was a member of Community Foundation Alliance Board of Directors in 1995. She served on the Gibson County Community Foundation Board of Trustees. Susan served on the Board of Directors Greater Gibson County Habitat for Humanity. She participated in Antiquarian Society, Cosmos Club, Garden Club, and Metropolitan Dance Club. She played golf with sufficiency to win her share of prizes in the women’s tournaments. Her and her husband were also frequent members of classic dance clubs in the community and elsewhere. Susan had also earned the status of Certified Master Gardner.

Susan’s education in business soon made her a person/woman who was willing to do volunteer work for many organizations including the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra; serving as President, Tri-Kappa Sorority and Girls Scouts of America. She made charitable contributions to the hospitals as a “pink lady”. She served six years as the director of the Princeton Public Library. She applied her services to club organizations of the spouses supporting the Indiana Law Alliance/Auxiliary including projects such as making a historic photo of Indiana County Courthouses and blankets with depictions with were auctioned off to raise funds for youth related activities. She served as director of Gibson County Charitable Funds and also provided the funds necessary to establish a women’s fund for abused women and women needing assistance.

She is survived by her husband Verner P. Partenheimer;  sons, Philip E. Partenheimer (Cynthia), and R. Scott Partenheimer; daughter, Pamela S. Partenheimer; grandsons, Ryan O.A. Mick, Philip T. Mick. Alex D. Partenheimer (Kelsey), and Evan B. Partenheimer; great-granddaughter, Ada Mae Partenheimer; and great-grandson Calvin Michael Partenheimer; and brother, Robert H. Kinkle.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and a brother,  Edward “Buddy” Kinkle.

A funeral service will be held 1 p.m. Saturday, June 13, 2026 at the Princeton Presbyterian Church, 130 E. State St. in Princeton.  Burial will follow in Archer Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4 until 7 p.m. Friday at the Colvin Funeral Home in Princeton and also from 12-1 p.m. Saturday at the church.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Gibson County Community Foundation Susan K. Partenheimer Fund. 

Condolences may be expressed and memories shared online at colvinfuneralhome.com. Colvin Funeral Home is honored to serve Susan’s family.

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