Karen Kelshaw Poyser

Karen Kelshaw Poyser of Carmel, Indiana, passed away on August 25, 2025, at the age of 73. Born in Washington, Indiana to parents Willard “Red” James and Roberta “Ruby” Ione (Loveless) Kelshaw, Karen called Indiana home for most of her life.

Karen graduated from the school of Humanities, Education and Social Science at Purdue University with a special endorsement in French and received a master’s degree in education from Indiana University. She taught for several years at Episcopal schools in Pennsylvania and Indiana and was a small business owner and public art consultant for many years. Karen taught confirmation classes, served on the Vestry and chaired the architecture committee for the building of St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church campus in Carmel.

She was a past member of the Junior Leagues of Pittsburgh and Indianapolis, the Daughters of the American Revolution, the International Violin Competition and the Indianapolis Museum of Art. Karen served on many civic committees and non-profit organization boards, including president of Pittsburgh’s Performing Arts for Children, co-chair of Carmel’s Public Art Advisory Committee and Vice President of the Board of Directors for Carmel’s Christkindlmarkt. She was a patron of the classical series at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts.

Karen's passions were many including gardening, Frank Sinatra, Earl Grey tea, a good book and a good Bordeaux. She continued meeting with her Park Tudor Mom's Book Club for many years after her children graduated. Her greatest devotion though was always given to her family. She is survived by her husband of 51 years, Thomas D. Poyser; son Thomas Patrick (Kathleen) Poyser; daughter Abigail Kristina (Anatoli) Poyser, grandchildren Maxim Alexander, Clara Kelshaw, Genevieve Garvin and Maeve Louisa.

Visitation will be held at 10am on Friday, September 12, 2025, at St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church, 1402 W Main Street, Carmel, IN. Funeral service will follow at 11am, with a reception afterward in the Parish Hall. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the St. Christopher’s Building Repair and Replacement Fund. https://onrealm.org/StChristophersE26959/give/memorial