Guy Franklin Kirby

Guy Franklin Kirby, 72 of rural Tipton County passed away at home on the morning of Friday, March 21, 2025. He was born in Bossier City, Louisiana on November 16, 1952 to Louis D. & Guyla J. (Cunningham) Kirby. Guy’s family moved to Tipton County when he was 10 years old. He married Susan K. Stillabower on June 15, 1974 and they enjoyed 50 years of marriage last summer.

He was a 1970 graduate of Tipton High School where he was a member of the National Honor Society. Guy was extremely active in the FFA and served as the State FFA Reporter from 1970-71. He was able to earn his American Farmer Degree from the FFA.

Guy graduated from Purdue University in 1974 with a degree in Animal Science. He was a member of Farmhouse Fraternity while at Purdue and made many life-long friends. He was a Senator in the Intra-Fraternal Council and a member of the Purdue Livestock Judging Team in 1973.

Giving back to his community was important to Guy and he served many years as a leader of the Blue Ribbon Chasers 4-H club as well as teaching Agriculture at Tipton High School. During his career he coached a number of state and national award-winning Livestock and Horse Judging teams.

Guy was a life-long farmer and was a member of the Tipton County Pork Producers and the Tipton County Livestock Breeders Association. Besides farming and teaching he worked at Reynolds Farm Equipment for 20 years. In 2015 he was honored to be chosen as a Stihl Ambassador.

Survivors include his wife Susan; their three children, Brent Kirby and wife Dana of Tipton, Lindsay (Jeff Greene fiancé) Derrer of Arcadia and Justin Kirby (Stephanie Stepp fiancée) of Kempton. Guy also has seven grandchildren, Cole Kirby, Wyatt Kirby, Katie Kirby, Zayne Kirby, Bodie Derrer, Kaden Derrer and Quentin Derrer.

Due to family commitments, Guy’s funeral is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on Monday, April 7 at the Kempton Methodist Episcopal Church with Al Schmitz presiding. Burial will follow in Kempton Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2:00 – 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 6, also at the church.

Young-Nichols Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences for Guy’s family may be left on his obituary page at www.young-nichols.com.

Memorial donations in Guy’s honor should be made to the Tipton High School FFA, 619 S. Main Street, Tipton, Indiana, 46072.