Virginia Ann Kahl

Longtime county educator Virginia Ann (Hixson) Kahl, known as “Ginger” to everyone of Franklin, IN died Monday, November 2, 2026 at Indiana University Health Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis after a short illness. She was 73.

She was born Aug. 14, 1953, in Franklin IN to James E. Hixson and Mildred A. (Gullett) Hixson. She married Vern Kahl in 2004. He survives, as does a sister, Karen Mengle (Rev) of Greenwood, IN, sister-in-law Vivian Sadler of Las Vegas, NV and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a sister, Charlotte Bowen, and a brother, David Hixson.

She was in the Johnson Couty 4-H program for many years as a child and teenager. Ginger was a graduate of Franklin Community High School and enjoyed the next four years at Purdue University in the Shoemaker Co-op. She had several education degrees and taught family and consumer sciences at Edinburgh Junior-Senior High School for 37 years. Several of her students served as national officers in the FCCLA, the Family Career and Community Leaders of America organization.

She was an avid knitter, enjoyed reading (especially Stephen King novels), was a Parrothead for several years (even naming her cat Oscar Wilde after hearing the author’s name in a Jimmy Buffett song), and, most of all, she loved the Boilermakers

A time gathering and sharing will take place on Sunday, November 8, 2026 from 2PM until 5PM at Swartz Family Community Mortuary and Memorial Center 300 South U.S. 31 (Morton Street) in Franklin, IN.

The family request memorial contributions be made to Heifer International 1 World Avenue Little Rock, Arkansas 72202 or at www.heifer.org. Heifer International is on a mission to end hunger and poverty in a sustainable way by supporting and investing alongside local farmers and their communities.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.swartzmortuary.com. Information 317-738-0202.