Ann Elizabeth Stark

Ann E. Stark, passed away Saturday, August 20, 2016 at Woodview HealthCare. Born in Defiance, Oh, on May 31, 1923 to John Albert Deindoerfer and Mary Patterson Lodge Deindoerfer. Ann was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, John, and her beloved daughter Sally.

Ann graduated as Valedictorian of Defiance High School and attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, majoring in Elementary Education. Ann worked for St. Therese School, South Calhoun School, Western Girl and Kelly Girl, L.S. Ayres and Lincoln National Life Insurance Company. She was a member of St. Therese Catholic Church, the Evening Stars Home Economics Club, the Daughters of the Union Veterans and Daughters of the American Revolution.

Ann enjoyed traveling and visiting historical homes with her daughter Sally. Together, they traveled to New York, London and Paris. She traveled to Australia and New Zealand with her husband John along with countless trips with the Lewis & Clark Heritage trail foundation. She visited her daughter June frequently in Minneapolis. Ann also enjoyed summers at Adams Lake with her family and friends. She lived by the motto "If you have nothing nice to say, say nothing at all." Always cheerful, the word “no” simply was not a part of her vocabulary. Last but not least, Ann possessed the rare and wonderful ability to laugh at herself and did so often.

Having grown up during the Great Depression, Ann was very thrifty. For just one example, she would freeze the smallest bits of food and record the contents in her "Freezer Inventory" book. Ann’s beloved pet cats would run in terror whenever she opened the freezer as there was often an avalanche of small packages. She taught her daughters how to find treasures at thrift stores.

Ann was also preceded in death by her beloved feline friends Booty, Terry, Jasmine and Coco Chanel. She once called Dial-A-Prayer when Jasmine was suffering from an extended illness.

Ann spent the last 16 years of her life in nursing homes. Before his death, John would visit her daily, playing the harmonica, guitar or reading her poetry.

Ann was a gracious woman and her intelligence, kindness, laughter and warm, gentle presence will be dearly missed by her family and her friends and all who had the honor of meeting her even briefly.

Surviving Ann are her children, Phil Stark, Lebanon, Indiana and June Stark (Brian Newell) Minneapolis, Minnesota; grandchildren, Alex and Christian Arnold and their father John Indianapolis, Indiana, step-granddaughter, Anna (Mark) Rizik, and great-granddaughter, Daphne Rizik Cold Spring, New York.

Funeral services 100pm Saturday, August 27th at St. Therese Catholic Church with calling one hour prior. Burial in the Catholic Cemetery.

Preferred Memorials to Starfish Inactive- Indianapolis or Alley Cat Allies