Catherine E. “Cathy” Shirk
September 16, 1952 ~ October 1, 2026
Born in: Cincinnati, Ohio
Resided in: Columbus , Indiana
Resided in: Columbus , Indiana
Catherine Elaine “Cathy” Shirk, age 74, passed away peacefully on October 1, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. Though she had recently moved to Columbus, Indiana, her heart always remained with Cincinnati, where she lived most of her life.
Born September 16, 1952, Cathy was the oldest and only daughter of Robert Leo and Alma Annette (Smith) Peddenpohl. She grew into a remarkable woman—intelligent and fiercely independent, with a loyal heart and a deep, unwavering love for her family.
Cathy graduated from Our Lady of Angels High School in 1970. She met the love of her life, David C. Shirk, and they married on September 18, 1976. Just two weeks before her passing, they celebrated 50 years of marriage—a beautiful testament to their enduring love, partnership, and devotion.
Cathy worked for many years at Procter & Gamble before retiring in 2017. But her greatest pride was never her career—it was her family. She was a selfless wife and mother who always put others first and had a special gift for making everyone around her feel loved and important. Family holidays were among her favorite times, simply because they brought her loved ones together.
Nothing brought Cathy more joy than her grandchildren. Luke, Anna, Jay, and Julia were her pride and joy, and her favorite place in the world was wherever they were. She also shared a special, unbreakable bond with her beloved dog, Maggie. Her grandson Luke affectionately gave her the nickname “Grandma Maggie,” a name that captured one of the many beautiful bonds that filled her life with love.
Cathy’s loving spirit lives on in her devoted husband, David C. Shirk; her daughters, Julie (Tim) Krebs and Kate (Nick) Notich; her grandchildren, Luke Krebs, Anna, Jay, and Julia Notich; and her brothers, Ed (Jan), Joe (Debbie), Ray (Nita), and Larry (Theresa) Peddenpohl.
Family and friends are invited to celebrate Cathy’s life during visitation from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at Jewell-Rittman Funeral Service & Crematory, 3855 25th St., Columbus, Indiana. A brief, personal service will begin at 5:00 p.m. A celebration of Cathy’s life will follow at her daughter’s home, where family and friends are invited to gather, share memories, and continue honoring the extraordinary woman she was. In honor of Cathy’s love of bright colors, the family invites attendees to wear a touch of pink, her favorite color, to her service.
Please visit JewellRittman.com to share a favorite memory, story, or message of love for the family.
Please visit JewellRittman.com to share a favorite memory, story, or message of love for the family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Community Animal Rescue Effort (C.A.R.E). Link: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?cmd=_donations&business=ColumbusCARE.PP@gmail.com
Services
Visitation:
Saturday, October 10, 2026
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Jewell ~ Rittman Funeral Service & Crematory
3855 25th St
Columbus, IN 47203
(812) 372-9923
Add to My Calendar
America/Indiana/Indianapolis
2026-10-10 15:00:00
2026-10-10 05:00:00
Catherine E. "Cathy" ShirkVisitation
Visitation
3855 25th St,Columbus, IN 47203
Funeral Service:
Saturday, October 10, 2026
5:00 pm
Jewell ~ Rittman Funeral Service & Crematory
3855 25th St
Columbus, IN 47203
(812) 372-9923
Add to My Calendar
America/Indiana/Indianapolis
2026-10-10 17:00:00
2026-10-10 17:00:00
Catherine E. "Cathy" ShirkFuneral Service
Funeral Service
3855 25th St,Columbus, IN 47203
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle