On the morning of Feb. 22, 2024, Windle Branscum passed away peacefully at Pine Meadows Post-AcuteCare Facility in Lexington, Ky.  Windle was 89 years old.  He was born on June 1, 1934, in Wayne Co, Ky. in the community of Freedom to Theo and Monnie (Tucker) Branscum.  His family moved to McCreary County in 1939 and he called it home for the remainder of his life.  He was a member of East Appletree United Baptist Church as well as a deacon and Sunday school teacher.  He was a 1953 graduate of McCreary Co. High School and went on to attend EKU and obtained his bachelor's degree in civil engineering. He married Gloria Jean Hatfield on July 12, 1956.

Surviving him are his children, Diana Winchester (Bruce), Randy Branscum (Sheila), and Rita Wright (Donnie) and four grandchildren, Wendi Smith (Derrick), Rex Campbell (Sandra), Ben Wright (Brooke), and Matthew Ryan Wright and three great-grandchildren, Gavin Smith (Brianna), Kendall Smith (Peyton Ross), and Vida Campbell.  Two brothers, Joel Branscum (Wilmore, Ky.) and Delbert Branscum (McCreary Co., KY) also survive him.

Preceding him in death are his parents, his wife Gloria, and an infant daughter, Sherry Jean Branscum, a brother, Theo Branscum Jr., and a sister, Marilyn (Branscum) Kennedy.

Windle taught in a one-room schoolhouse in the Bald Knob Community as a young man.  In 1959, he became a land surveyor for the Stearns Coal and Lumber Company and retired as Vice President of Stearns Development in 1992. He continued to be a Stearns Historian and share his knowledge of the area for the rest of his life.

Windle enjoyed the outdoors, gardening, kids, and dogs. He loved to nurture and watch things grow.  He was passionate about everything Kentucky, including the land and basketball.  He enjoyed talking about his family, history, and sporting events. He took great pride in his family and their accomplishments. Watching his grandchildren and great-grandchildren grow up brought him so much joy.  His unwavering faith in God was strong and he led his family with this strength.  All who knew him will sadly miss his comforting words and life advice.

The family will receive friends on Monday, February 26, 2024, starting at 1:00 PM until the funeral service time at 2:00 PM at the Stearns Cemetery in Stearns, KY with burial to follow.

The family has requested that you join them for a dinner right after the service at the John L. Wright Farmhouse located at 351 Farm Ridge Road, Stearns, KY 42647.

Hickey Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.