L. Ann Haggard

Ann Haggard, formerly of Fort Wayne, Indiana, passed away on Sunday, July 15, 2018, at The Waters of Lebanon. She was born in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, on December 7, 1927, a daughter of the late William F. Lohmier, an immigrant from Germany, and Lillian (Nay) Lohmier, an orphan. She was one of sixteen siblings. Her father was a coal miner and her mother was a baker selling baked goods locally. Ann used to poke a hole in her favorite feed sack as her dress would be made first (she was the youngest girl) out of a feed sack and muslin. She won M&Ms in spelling contests in grade school. She graduated from high school and went on to earn a diploma as a registered nurse. On October 14, 1955, she married Dean Calvin Haggard in Huntington, IN, in a pharmacy. They were married by the pharmacist. They met on a blind date. She said it stayed blind. He preceded her in death on January 24, 2004. They were married for 49 years. Early on, Ann worked as a telephone operator at McDowell Road Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona. She entered the United States Army and served her country honorably during the Korean War from 1951 – 1954. While in service, she earned the National Defense Service Medal. Upon discharge, she had earned the rank of Sergeant. She returned to the Fort Wayne area and worked as a registered nurse at the Lutheran Hospital; retiring in 1976. During her kids’ high school years, their house was the gathering place. Even after her girls would break up with their boyfriends, they still came over for dinners and after games to hang out with Ann. She was a mom to many. Ann fought for higher education for her kids whom all have advanced degrees. She always had a smile and if she ever met you, you would get a Christmas card from her each holiday. Ann enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. She loved telling jokes. She could never get to the punch line because she was laughing so hard. At her granddaughter's wedding, she rode with the groomsmen to the wedding venue whom all got out of the car blushing and loving Grandma. She was a dedicated member of Good Shepherd United Methodist Church in Fort Wayne where she volunteered her time on many occasions. Survivors include: daughter Linda D. (Michael) Nielsen of Lebanon, IN, son Carlton Haggard of Smyrna, Georgia, daughter Jody (Brian) McCrea of IL, eight grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, one sister Marjorie (Midge) Battaglia of Kent, Ohio and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and husband, Ann was preceded in death by eleven brothers and three sisters. Private Family Graveside Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 19, 2018, at Oaklawn Cemetery in Ossian, Indiana. Myers Mortuary in Lebanon has been entrusted with her arrangements for burial.

L. Ann Haggard

December 7, 1927 - July 15, 2018