Lela Belle (Tanner) Sandifur

July 29, 1917 — Jan. 26, 2021

Lela Belle Sandifur, 103, of Leesburg, Florida, formerly of Winamac, passed away peacefully at the home of her daughter on Jan. 26.

Lela was born July 29, 1917, in Rensselaer, as the fourth child of Willard and Goldie (Wolfe) Tanner. She grew up a farmer’s daughter along with 12 siblings. She graduated from Medaryville High School in 1935.

Lela married Bruce More Sandifur on March 3, 1940, in North Salem, officiated by Rev. Elwood Dunn. They started life together in Knox, settled in Medaryville until 1948 before moving to La Porte where they raised their three children. In 1972, they moved to Winamac to live out their retirement years and celebrated 59 years of marriage before Bruce passed away in 1999.

Lela was a housewife who loved baking, especially pies, mowing the lawn, gardening, canning and crocheting afghans for family and friends. In her later years she crocheted more than 200 lap afghans for nursing homes until her eyesight diminished. In 2013, she moved, along with her daughter, to Florida to be closer to her son.

She was an active member of the Christian Church and instrumental in organizing the Maple City Christian Church in La Porte. She loved helping others and faithfully serving her Lord. She raised her children to know the importance of family, the meaning of love and the power of faith.

She is survived by her daughters: Bonnie L. Ketch of Leesburg, Florida, and Betty E. McFarland of Longmont, Colorado; son Robert L. [Lynn] Sandifur of Leesburg, Florida; nine grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; brothers: C. Delos [Jackie] Tanner, G. Dean [Wilma] Tanner and Don L. [Judy] Tanner; sister Reba J. [Everett] Kopka; and sister-in-law Lois Tanner.

She was preceded in death by her husband Bruce More Sandifur; parents Willard Wilson Tanner and Golden Olive (Wolfe) Tanner; brothers: Vern E., Floyd L., Ezra E., Lester W., J.D. and Frank L.; sisters: Margret L. Hazlett and Shirley M. Ringen; eight in-laws; and sons-in-law: William “Bill” F. Ketch and James “Jim” T. McFarland.

Memorial and graveside service will be held at a later date.

(Pulaski County Journal — Feb. 3, 2021)

Pulaski County Journal

114 W. Main Street
Winamac, IN 46996

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