Florence E. Strong

Florence E. Strong, 86, of rural Akron, Indiana passed at 9:15 pm, Friday, April 5, 2019 at Millers Merry Manor of Warsaw, Indiana. She was born on Jan. 20, 1933 in Chicago, Illinois and adopted as an infant by Aaron S. and E. Reath Fike. She was married July 3, 1950 in Fulton County, Salem, Arkansas to the only love of her life L. Merle Strong, he preceded on May 5, 2011. Florence was a homemaker and a farmer’s wife as well as a rural mail carrier for nearly 10 years retiring in 1995. She also was a former co-owner, with her daughter Charlotte, of the Lantern Café of Silver Lake and worked at several nursing homes which included Canterbury Manor of Rochester and Timbercrest Retirement Community of North Manchester. She was a graduate of West Plains High School in 1949. She then attended Manchester College. She gave her heart to the Lord at the age of 8 in the Peace Valley Church of the Brethren and a later was a member of the Silver Creek Church of God for many years. Survivors and place of residence: 2 Daughters - Carmen and husband Dr. Stephen Reed - Ft. Wayne, IN Charlotte and husband Charles Gerdeman - Akron, IN 2 Sons - John and wife Cathy Strong - Akron, IN Charles and wife Joy Strong - Monticello, IN Grandchildren - Kimberly (Reed) and husband Scott Heisler, Christopher Reed, and Marlayna and husband Jamie Gagnon, Madison Strong, and Levi Strong, Steven and wife Steph Tackett, Brittany Plunkett, Brian and Alana Stutsman, and Jake and Cayla Stutsman Great Grandchildren - Isabella Heisler, Braden Tackett, Chloe Tackett, Kaia Plunkett, Marina Gagnon, Paisley Plunkett, and Audrey Stutsman, and James Stutsman Sister – Elverda Oellig – West Plains, Missouri Preceded in Death By: Husband - L. Merle Strong Sister and Brother-in-law – Viola and Richard Harlan Brother-in-law – Byron Oellig Time and Date of Services: 10:30 am, Wednesday, April 10, 2019 Place of Services: Hartzler Funeral Home 305 West Rochester Street Akron, Indiana Minister: Pastor Thomas Craig Place of Burial: Akron Cemetery, Akron, Indiana Visitation Hours: 4 pm to 8 pm, Tuesday, April 9, 2019 at Hartzler Funeral Home 305 West Rochester Street Akron, Indiana Memorial Contributions to: American Heart Association or to the Cardinal Center Share a Memory or send an Online Condolence at: www.hartzlerfuneralservices.com

Florence E. Strong

January 20, 1933 - April 5, 2019