Anna M. Podell
Anna Marie Podell, 96, of Tavares, Florida, formerly of Winamac and Akron, went home to be with her Lord on April 28.
She was born on Jan. 17, 1928, in Wabash, to the late Lee and Sarah (King) Porter. Anna (known as “Ann” by her family and friends) graduated from Huntington High School in 1946. Two years later she moved to North Judson and was employed in Dr. Matthew’s office as his receptionist and assistant. On Nov. 24, 1951, Ann married Robert “Bob” Podell. She accompanied him when he moved to the U.S. Army Base in Anchorage, Alaska in 1952. In 1953, they made their home in Winamac on the Podell Family Farm. Ann was a homemaker who kept the farm books, ran errands and delivered meals to the fields while raising three boys. In 2000, Ann and Bob built a home in Tavares where they later took up permanent residence. Bob preceded her in death in 2008 after 57 years of marriage.
Ann was an active member of St. Luke Lutheran Church in Winamac. She was a former Sunday School Teacher for many years and held office in the St. Luke’s Women’s Guild. In addition, she attended Woodlands Lutheran Church in Montverde, Florida. Throughout her life, Ann was also a member of the Rock Lake Conservation Club, Jefferson/Rich Grove Home Ec Club, Pulaski County Democratic Ladies and the John Purdue Club. She enjoyed making memories at their summer home on Rock Lake in Akron, attending summer plays at the Wagon Wheel Playhouse in Warsaw, socializing with other snowbird friends in Central Florida, entertaining, keeping up with her Facebook friends, tailgating at the Purdue football games and visiting with her neighbors, family and friends.
Survivors include sons and daughters-in-law: Robert M. [Mollie] Podell, Jr., Tavares, Florida, Gregory L. [Betty] Podell, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and Douglas J. [Cheryl] Podell, Ponte Vedra, Florida; grandsons: Brian E. [Amy] Housinger, Hendersonville, North Carolina, Kyle G. Podell, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Nicholas P. [Ashtin] Podell, Mount Dora, Florida and Jacob L. [Kaitlyn] Podell, DeMotte; granddaughters: Emily A. [Andy] Kruger, Blythewood, South Carolina and Annie E. [Beck] Serles, Wanatah; 10 great-granddaughters; four great-grandsons; one great-great-grandson; brother Mike Porter, Akron; brother-in-law and sister-in-law: Jim [Ann] Podell, Elgin, South Carolina; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Preceded in death by parents: Lee and Sarah (King) Porter; husband Robert M. Podell, Sr.; brothers: William Porter and Robert Porter; sisters and brothers-in-law: Patricia [Dave] Davis and Betty [J.C.] Carl; sister-in-law Patsy Porter; and sister-in-law and brother-in-law Laverne [“Fritz”] Bertucci.
Visitation will be from 1-2 p.m., Thursday, May 9, at St. Luke Lutheran Church in Winamac.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Thursday, May 9, at St. Luke Lutheran Church in Winamac with Pastor Thomas Woodley officiating.
Burial will take place in the Winamac Cemetery (McKinley Addition) in Winamac.
Memorial contributions may be given to St. Luke Lutheran Church in Winamac or Woodlands Lutheran Church in Montverde.
Online tributes may be offered at www.frainmortuary.com.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.
(Pulaski County Journal — May 8, 2024)