Louise Brackney

Thursday, February 23, 2012

"Nellie" Louise Brackney, a lifelong resident of Putnam County, died Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2012 at Putnam County Hospital with her family by her side.

Louise was born on July 11, 1924, to Glenn and Nellie (Bock) Flint.

Louise graduated from Clinton Center High School, where she met her husband John Joe, and continued her studies at Indiana Business College. She went on to support the war effort from Greencastle in the local Rations Office while John served as a Marine in the Pacific.

After John returned home, they married and started Bainbridge Feed and Farm Supply, which later became Brackney's Feed Service. They opened Brackney's Western Store in 1973, and worked side by side from 1955 until their joint retirement in December 1989.

An active member of Brick Chapel United Methodist Church since childhood, Louise served as treasurer of the church for many years. She served as memorials chairperson and a dedicated volunteer of the Putnam County American Cancer Society. She further supported the organization with the creation of a cookbook in John's memory benefiting cancer research.

In her retirement, Louise became accomplished at cross stitch and continued to perfect her lifelong talent in the kitchen. Her main source of joy came from spending time with her large family.

She is survived by her sisters Kaye McKamey (Bob) and Carolyn Carson (John); her children Steve (Linda), Darrell (Linda), Keith (Shirley) and Sheila McCullough (Gary); her sister-in-law Charlotte Wichmann (Paul); brother-in-law Jack Brackney; sister-in-law Sally Flint; nine grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Glenn Flint, sister Marcia Klebusch, foster sister Mary Ellen McKeehan, husband John and sister-in-law Betty Brackney.

Visitation will be held at Bittles and Hurt Funeral Home, on Thursday, Feb. 23, from 4-8 p.m. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 24, at Brick Chapel United Methodist Church, with Pastor Paul Taylor officiating. Interment to follow at Brick Chapel Cemetery.

Donations may be made in Louise's memory to the John and Louise Brackney Memorial Fund c/o Putnam County Community Foundation, PO Box 514, Greencastle, IN, 46135.

Thanks to the staff and volunteers at Mill Pond and Putnam County Hospital for their help and support.

Condolences and expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.BittlesandHurt.com.