Shirley Kadinger, 88, of Crawfordsville, passed away Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, at home, with her family by her side, leaving behind a legacy of service, kindness, and dedication to her community.
She was born July 20, 1936, in Crawfordsville, to Raymond “Bud” and Mary Chesterson Rose. On July 14, 1956, she married David Kadinger. He preceded her in death in 2001.
A lifelong resident of Crawfordsville, Shirley worked for many years with her husband at Kadinger Insurance and then served as fire and ambulance secretary for the Crawfordsville Fire Department for 37 years, where she greeted every person and task with a smile and left an indelible legacy of service before taking “early retirement” at the age of 85. She was a member of St. Bernard’s Catholic Church and was a devoted bridge player, sharing laughs and friendship with the same close-knit group of friends for nearly forty years.
Shirley is survived by her children, Larry (Cheryl) Kadinger and Laurie Bonifield; five grandchildren, Jake (Kelly), Julie and Josh Bonifield, Mike (Bobbie) Harshbarger and Stacey Elliott; and six great-grandchildren, David and Eleanor Bonifield, Alec Fruits, Hannah and Ian Harshbarger and Ava Dwigans.
Above all else, Shirley took immense pride in her family, cherishing every moment spent with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Shirley’s quiet faith and enduring kindness will be remembered by many beyond the family she cherished. Shirley lived by the guiding principle, “It takes nothing to be kind to others, and it means so much more than you think!”
A mass will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 8 at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, with Father Michael Bower officiating. Visitation will be 9-11 a.m. Interment will follow in the Calvary Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Shop with a Firefighter, P.O Box 69, Crawfordsville, IN 47933.
