Ann McKinzie, Lebanon Centurion Returns Home
The story of Anna Marie (Lindauer) McKinzie started January 19, 1922 in Tell City, Indiana, where she was the first of three children born to Edward and Georgia (Board) Lindauer. Anna had two brothers, Walter and William. They lived in Tell City until the Great Flood of 1937, when the Ohio River rose and flooded the town, including The Tell City Furniture Company where Anna’s father worked. Anna was devastated when the factory closed and they had to move to Frankfort, Indiana, leaving her childhood friends, Lillian, June, Hilda and Tom.
Anna graduated in Frankfort High School’s Class of 1940. Anna married Charles Danner and had a son, Jerry, in 1941. Charles, enlisted in the Airborne Infantry in April of 1943 and was killed in France as a glider pilot in the fall of that same year.
In 1947 Ann married Joe McKinzie. They had 2 children, Michael D. McKinzie and Joan (McKinzie) Tucker. They lived in Lebanon, with the exception of what Ann called a “2-year vacation” in Holland, Michigan. Joe served as a Michigan Regional Sales Manager for Stewart Warner from 1963 to 1965. There, they lived on the lake and enjoyed the many aspects of Holland. In 1965, Joe’s job transferred them back to Lebanon. They enjoyed building and remodeling several homes in Lebanon. They were members of the First Community Church. They loved camping in their motorhome and were members of three camping clubs: Boone County Good Sams, Crawfordsville Sugar Creekers and the Ben Hur Good Sams. They owned and piloted a small Cessna airplane and traveled across the country. Another form of travel for them was their motorcycle rallies.
Joe and Ann’s wedding anniversary was July 4th,, which was celebrated every year. While living on the parade route their home was always open to family and friends. Ann took great pride in the fact that her house won both categories Best Decorated and Best of Theme, a cherished and coveted local honor.
Joe preceded Ann in death in 1988. Ann continued to camp and drive her motorhome until well after her 90th birthday. She enjoyed visiting with her friends. She was instrumental in organizing the local Widows Group that met for breakfast and lunches on Thursdays. She participated in their weekly outings even during Covid. This group was dedicated to living a full life and did not appreciate anyone telling them that they could not associate or mingle due to a pandemic. With the assistance of the Boone County Senior Services, Ann was able to live in her home on her own until she was nearly 99 years old. In August of 2020 she moved to Arkansas with her daughter and son-in-law.
She attributes her 101 years 11 months and 28 days to eating ice cream, friends and family (of which you never turn down an invitation), shopping, traveling, nature, strong will and the power of positive thinking.
Ann lived through The Great Flood of 1937, The Great Depression, World War II and most recently, the Covid Pandemic. Although Ann lived through some of the worst of times, she persevered and lived an amazing life having 3 children, 6 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, 4 great-great grandchildren.
Ann passed away December 21,2023 in a rehab facility in Rogers, AR following a brief hospital stay.
Visitation will be held at 12 noon with the funeral following at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 30, 2023, at Myers Mortuary, 1502 N. Lebanon St. in Lebanon, Indiana, with Pastor Craig Carrell of First Community Church, officiating. Interment will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery in Lebanon.