Ann Colleen VanZile

Avilla - Ann Colleen VanZile, 95, of Avilla, daughter, sister, wife, a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt and friend passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Wednesday January 8, 2025 at Sacred Heart Village Nursing Home.  Ann was born June 13th, 1929 to Fern Alice (Guthrie) and Paul Joel VanGorder, who were loving parents and strong influencers of her life and gave her a strong faith in God. Ann graduated from Avilla High School as salutatorian for the class of 1949. In school, Ann played the cornet in the marching band and was on the debate team. She went on to graduate from Fort Wayne International Business College.  

Ann was the secretary at the Avilla Elementary School for 37 years. She enjoyed riding her bike and walking uptown to the Avilla post office and to the library (she was an avid reader). She also walked to the St. James restaurant where she worked weekends as hostess for many years after her retirement.    

Ann was an active member of the Calvary United Methodist Church in Avilla, where she played the organ and sang in the choir for many years.

She married Monte D. Ogg March 3rd, 1950, they had five children. Monte passed away in November of 1968. Ann married Robert (Joe) VanZile on June 13,1975.  Joe passed away in October of 1988.

She is survived by her children Pattie (Kevin) Lewis of Johns Island, SC, Stephen (Deborah) Ogg of Pooler, GA, Scott (Vickie) Ogg of Kendallville, Margaret (James) Pyer of West Lebanon, NH, and John Ogg of Kendallville.  She is survived by 13 grandchildren,19 great-grandchildren, and one great-great granddaughter. She is also survived by her brother-in-law, Max Whonsetler of Avilla.

Ann was proceeded in death by her parents, Paul and Fern VanGorder, her brother Paul Robert (Bob), his wife Dorothy VanGorder, her sister Mary Whonsetler. She was also preceded in death by Monte Ogg, loving father to her five children, and her second loving husband Robert (Joe) VanZile, and a granddaughter Amber Ogg.

Visitation will be 3-8pm, Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at Harper Funeral Homes, Avilla Chapel, 530 N Main St., Avilla, IN.

A funeral service celebrating Ann’s life will be held at 11:00am, Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at Calvary United Methodist Church, 101 Cherry St. in Avilla, Indiana, with visitation one hour prior.

A graveside service will immediately follow at Christian Union Cemetery, near Garrett, Indiana.

In lieu of flowers donations to: Parkinsons Foundation (www.parkinson.org), Calvary United Methodist Church Food Pantry, or Activity Fund at Ascension Sacred Heart Village, Avilla, IN.

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