Earlene Kay Cougill

Earlene Kay (Smith) Cougill, age 83, of Indianapolis, passed away peacefully in the arms of her loving family on Friday, June 5, 2026. To know Earlene was to be warmed by her kindness, disarmed by her smile and laughter, and quietly inspired by the way she approached every day as a gift.

Born in Indianapolis on April 1, 1943 to Bob and Nina (Wheatley) Smith, Earlene grew up in Franklin Township, where she would live her entire life. She attended Franklin Central High School, where she excelled in the classroom, was a cheerleader and homecoming queen, played the saxophone in the band, and competed on the Indianapolis Athletic Club swim team, qualifying for the 1960 Olympic trials. It was also in those years that she met the love of her life, Jeffrey Thomas Cougill, whom she would later marry.

Earlene pursued her education at Ball State Teachers College (now Ball State University) and Butler University, earning her Bachelor's degree, and later attended Indiana University where she earned her Master's degree. After raising her children, she devoted nearly two decades to teaching in the business department at her alma mater, Franklin Central — a chapter of her life that culminated in her recent induction into the Franklin Township Community School Corporation Teacher's Hall of Fame.

Earlene and Jeff shared 48 wonderful years together until Jeff's passing in 2014. They raised three children whose love for their mother was matched only by their gratitude. As her children will tell you, they were the luckiest kids on earth, for her love for them was unconditional and genuine. She was a proud "grammy" to seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild, each one holding a special place in her heart.

Earlene was a source of quiet strength, remarkable in her accomplishments yet genuinely humble about every one of them. In her final years, she faced Parkinson's disease with the same strength, courage, and grace she had brought to every other chapter of her life. She understood that each day was a gift and she always made the best of it — right up to the very end. Her loving kindness and her sense of humor, including a wonderful ability to laugh at herself, were an inspiration to her family and to all who were fortunate enough to know her. Her faith and the loving support of her church community was a source of steady comfort throughout her life.

She is survived by her children Kay Lynne (Cary) Zietlow, Brad (Lorrie) Cougill, and Dean (Jen) Cougill; grandchildren Emily, Adam, Sarah, Hannah, Cooper, Tate, and Stella; great-grandson Arturo; sister Marcia Cronin and brother Dennis Smith; and many loving nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held at Acton United Methodist Church (5650 Senour Road, Indianapolis, IN 46239) from 2 PM to 4 PM. on Wednesday, June 10th, with the funeral service to follow at 4 PM. A private burial will be held at Orchard Hill Cemetery in Wanamaker, Indiana. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research or to a medical research organization of your choice.