Marjorie S. Lanning

Marjorie S. Lanning November 11, 1918 - April 23, 2010 Marjorie S. Lanning died Friday, April 23, 2010, at Hospice of South Central Indiana. Mrs. Lanning moved to Columbus in 2001 from Dothan, Alabama. She was born in Wabash, Indiana, November 11, 1918, the daughter of Leigh James and Iva Belle Scott. She was secretary to the purchasing agent at Pullman-Standard in Hammond, Indiana, before her marriage to John R. Keeler in 1941. She and John moved to Columbus, Ohio, where she attended Ohio State University while he contributed to wartime research at Battelle Memorial Institute. She and John enjoyed 26 years of marriage until Johns sudden death in 1967. Mrs. Lanning married Thomas Lanning in 1971. They spent 23 years together, and retired to Dothan, Alabama. They travelled extensively throughout the U.S. by RV, camping with the Alabama Goober campers and visiting grandchildren in Indiana, Florida, Virginia and California. Mrs. Lanning continued RV camping and Red Cross volunteer work after Mr. Lannings death in 1994. She married Oliver Allender in 1996 and lived in Dothan, Alabama until his death in 2001. Mrs. Lanning was a 50-year member of P.E.O., (a philanthropic educational organization) and charter member of chapters CE, Munster, Indiana, Chapter MD, Morris, Illinois, and V and W, Alabama. She was honored at the 2009 Alabama and Indiana State Conventions for her many years of service. Mrs. Lanning was proud to be the first Patient Relations Coordinator for Saint Margaret Hospital in Hammond, Indiana, from 1969-1971. During her working years, she was also employed as a secretary, a travel agent and knitting instructor. Her lifelong passions included knitting, needlework, raising dogs, reading, and travel. She won numerous awards for her knitting, needlework, and embroidery. She was always ready to see new places, and her love of travel took her to Europe, Scandinavia, Japan, Alaska and Hawaii. She volunteered as a Senior Girl Scout leader for twelve years, and led her troop on a tour to Washington, D.C. Her favorite four-legged companions were her beloved collie Feather and her Welsh corgi, JFred (Champion Bridgeladys Read All About It). Mrs. Lanning was preceded in death by her husbands, three brothers, and a son William Keeler. She is survived by two daughters, JoAnne Rother (Bob), and Jane Hooper (Jim); grandchildren, Becky and Travis Rother and William and Elizabeth Hooper; and a niece and nephew, Mary Jo Stirling and Tip Scott. Funeral Information SERVICE: Jewell-Rittman Funeral Home at 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 28, 2010, with the Rev. Brian Campbell officiating. Calling: Wednesday from 1:30 p.m. until service time. Interment will be at Elmwood Cemetery in Hammond, Indiana. Donations Information Memorials may be made to the P.E.O. Project for Continuing Education or Hospice of South Central Indiana. DirectionsVisitation: Map to Funeral Home