Patrick J. Kilbane

Patrick J. Kilbane, 95, passed away Dec. 7, 2024, at Independence Village South in Fishers while with his loving family. The son of Patrick and Katherine (Henderson) Kilbane, he was born July 31, 1929, in Cleveland, Ohio. He was the youngest of four siblings, with brothers Tom and John and sister Katherine preceding him in death. Patrick graduated from Cleveland’s West Technical High School and then earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in 1952 from Kent State University, Kent, Ohio. He also played varsity baseball for the university as a pitcher. While in an accounting class at Kent State, he met his future wife, Joanne. They enjoyed 66 years of marriage before she passed away in 2022. Their union was blessed with four wonderful sons, Kevin (Renee), Brian (Paula), Patrick (Molly), and Christopher (Janet); 14 grandchildren, Caroline, Connor (Maggie), Elyse, Emma, Erin, Katie (David), Keara, Keelan, Leah, Lee (Ryan), Mary, Molly, Ryan (Jordan), and Taryn; and three great-grandchildren, Beau, Elliana and Rowan. Pat and Joanne loved their family members and were proud of their accomplishments. After graduating from Kent State, Patrick was called to serve in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Based at the Transportation Corps headquarters at Fort Eustis, Va., he was honored as the “Soldier of the Cycle” and awarded the “American Spirit of Honor Medal.” Upon graduation from Leadership Training School, he remained there as an instructor. Later, he was sent to Patrick Air Force Base near Cape Canaveral, Fla., where he was part of a Transportation Corps contingent delivering supplies to the down-range tracking stations for the developing U.S. missile program. During his free time, he played on championship teams in basketball and volleyball at both Fort Eustis and Patrick AFB. After his Honorable Discharge from the Army in October 1954, Patrick was hired as a Sales Representative by the General Electric Company’s Lighting Division in Nela Park, Cleveland, Ohio. He worked as a resident salesman for GE Lighting in Indiana for 35 years before retiring in 1992. During his career with GE, he advanced to become Indiana District Sales Manager for the retail lighting department. He also served as chairman of GE’s Indianapolis Marketing Council. Along with work, Patrick involved himself in numerous community-service activities. Peers in business and service clubs described him as an “idea” man for his creative thinking. While a member of the Indianapolis Jaycees, he served as Vice President and as a National Director of the U.S. Jaycees. The Jaycees named him a Key Man and recognized him as an “Outstanding Young Man of America” in 1968. He later joined the Downtown Optimist Club of Indianapolis, where he served as president and was honored as “Optimist of the Year” and a “Distinguished President” by Optimist International. His Optimist involvement included starting several programs: The Fishing Derby for students at the Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired provided fun to more than 1,000 children. The Great Pumpkin Caper delivered more than 9,000 pumpkins to children’s wards at local hospitals and to other agencies. The Countdown to the Finals luncheon honored the Final Four teams competing in the Indiana High School Girls Basketball State Tournament, where more than 21,000 young women, coaches and family members attended over the years. The Kids Go to College program introduced more than 300 at-risk, 4th Grade students from the Indianapolis Public Schools district to the possibility of attending college by inviting them to spend a day at the University of Indianapolis. His volunteering also included serving as president of the Brendan Park Civic Association and as chairman of the St. Lawrence Catholic Church Athletic Committee. After retiring from GE, Patrick worked for six years as a Real Estate Broker for the A.H.M. Graves and F.C. Tucker real estate firms. Later, he developed two board games and one, “The Name Game,” received a U.S. patent. In the late 1980s, he and Joanne started The Once A Month Dine Out Club (TOMDOC) with a number of other couples. The friendship and fun continued for more than 30 years as they enjoyed dinners at new and historic restaurants they individually may not have thought to visit. Patrick also volunteered at the Indiana University Medical Center in Indianapolis and at Venice Regional Hospital in Venice, Fla. In 2002, he joined the Service Club of Indianapolis, a social organization for U.S. military veterans. He was a member of Holy Spirit at Geist Catholic Church. He enjoyed playing tennis, celebrating St. Patrick’s Day (a lot!), fishing, traveling, crosswords and reading. Patrick and his family would like to thank the many people involved in his care, especially Dr. C. William Hanke, Dr. Anna Roshal, staff members Courage and Freda at Independence Village South-Fishers, and IU Home Health nurses Megan and Katie. A funeral Mass celebrating his life will take place at noon Dec. 14 in the parish chapel at Holy Spirit at Geist Catholic Church, 10350 Glaser Way, Fishers, Ind. Viewing will begin one hour earlier. Burial will take place at Our Lady of Peace Cemetery on Haverstick Road. In lieu of flowers, Patrick asked that people consider a donation to the American Heart Association, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the Wounded Warrior Project.

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Patrick J. Kilbane

July 31, 1929 - December 7, 2024