Mrs. Ella F. Porter, 82, of LaPorte, died Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2013, at IU Health LaPorte Hospital.
She was born March 17, 1931, in Cosby, MO, to Clifford E. and Ethel Gilchrist.
Ella retired in 2006 as a claims specialist for Farm Bureau Insurance after 33 years of service. She was a member of Rolling Prairie United Methodist Church and United Methodist Women of the church. She loved being in the yard and watching the birds, and enjoyed traveling and going on cruises. She was very family-oriented and loved being with the family.
On June 11, 1949, in Rolling Prairie, she married Kenneth Porter, who survives.
She is also survived by four sons, Hugh Porter of Farmington Hills, MI, Kent (Angie) Porter of LaPorte, Kirk (Lauren) Porter of Chicago and Bret Porter of Indianapolis; one brother, Gilbert Gilchrist of Rolling Prairie; one sister, Norma Bardusk of Oak Park, IL; eight grandchildren, Morgan Porter, Mallory Porter, Brianna Porter, Joshua Porter, Tyler Porter, Adam Porter, Cassondra Porter, and Troy Porter; and two great-grandchildren, Rory Porter and Zaiden Porter.
Ella was preceded in death by her parents; three grandchildren, Kyle Porte, Andrew Porter and Jennifer Porter; two brothers, William Gilchrist and James Gilchrist; two sisters, Nellie Kaufman and Glenna Williamson; and daughter-in-law, Theresa Porter.
The family will receive friends at Haverstock Funeral Home and Cremation Services, LaPorte, on Sunday, Dec. 29, from 1 to 5 p.m., and at Rolling Prairie United Methodist Church on Monday, Dec. 30, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. A life celebration will be held Monday at 10:30 a.m. at the church with Pastor Debbie K. Beason and Rev. Dorthy Jones officiating. Interment will follow at Rolling Prairie Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Rolling Prairie United Methodist Church, 3444 U.S. 20, Rolling Prairie, IN 46371.
Messages of condolence may be posted below on WNLP, as well as at www.haverstockfuneralhome.com.