Charlie Porter

Charlie Porter October 20, 1931-January 12, 2015 Charles D. Porter, formerly of Rolling Prairie, died Tuesday, Jan 12 at his home in Cicero, Indiana, following an eight-month illness. Charlie (as he was known) was born October 20, 1931, to Burl and Pauline Porter. He graduated from Rolling Prairie High School. Charlie was a maintenance employee for the Indiana East-West Toll Road for ten years. He worked for GTE for nearly thirty years, retiring in 1996. He later worked for Indiana Paging, Michigan City and Manpower in LaPorte. Charlie was married to Marcia Jones on Nov 4, 1951 in Rolling Prairie. The couple lived in Rolling Prairie for fifty years before moving to Cicero to be nearer their sons. Charlie is survived by his wife, Marcia, his daughter, Susan Sims, Woodstock, Ga., and two sons, Timothy, Bloomington, Ind., and Matthew, Noblesville, IN. He is also survived by two grandchildren, Sarah and Luke Porter and by a brother, Kenneth, LaPorte; a sister, Patricia of Detroit Lakes, Mich., brother Paul Porter, Fort Wayne; and Thomas Porter, Columbia, Tenn. Charlie was preceded in death by his parents and brother, John Porter, Sr., and nephew, John Porter, Jr. Charlie was a Past Master, Rolling Prairie Lodge 291 F and AM, and a volunteer fireman with the Kankakee Township Volunteer Fire Department. He was the Lodge secretary for 14 years and secretary-treasurer of the fire dept for nearly 20 years. Charlie and his wife were also volunteers at Leighton Center for Seniors, South Bend, where they also served on a Sage-ing Council and were trained as facilitators for several programs, leading classes for Leighton Center visitors. Charlie was involved in the Center's efforts to make "Five Wishes", a legal document to assist patients in dying with dignity, legal in Indiana. During his life, Charlie suffered a number of serious health issues, including a massive heart attack. The Center invited him to speak about his experiences before a gathering of 400 employees of Memorial Hospital and he astonished even himself by doing a superb job. Charlie was also a volunteer usher at the Morris Performing Arts Center in South Bend for fourteen years. Charlie was a Boy Scout leader for Troop 353, Rolling Prairie for almost thirty years. His proudest moments were when both sons became Eagle Scouts - the highest rank in Scouting. Arrangements are being entrusted to Haverstock Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 602 Maple Ave., LaPorte, IN where the family will receive friends Friday, January 16, 2015, 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm and and at the Rolling Prairie United Methodist Church on Saturday, January 17, 2015, from 11:00 am - until time of service. A life celebration will be held at Rolling Prairie United Methodist Church, Saturday January 17, 2015 at 12:00 pm with Pastor Debbie K. Beason officiating. Cremation will take place and burial of ashes will be at a later date in Rolling Prairie Cemetery. The family requests in lieu of flowers donations in Charlie's honor may be made to the American Heart Association at : http://honor.americanheart.org/site/TR?pxfid=273642andfr_id=1030andpg=fundandet=SgTsd6wvXQ7LK_ap7-BmAwands_tafId=1061 Online condolences may be made at www.haverstockfuneralhome.com. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Charlie Porter please visit our Sympathy Store.