Indiana
Bonnie McLeod, 65
Died January 18, 2021.
Yankeetown Elementary School, Newburgh, IN
Food Services
Bonnie Sue (Robinson) McLeod, 65, of Newburgh, Indiana, passed away on Monday, January 18, 2021, at Deaconess Gateway Hospital in Newburgh, Indiana after a strong fight with COVID-19. She was born on May 6, 1955, in Seattle, Washington to the late Charles and Lydia (Gibson) Robinson.
Bonnie had most recently worked at Yankeetown Elementary School as a beloved lunch lady. She enjoyed camping, sewing and cheering on the Seattle Seahawks with family and friends.
She is survived by her husband, Scott McLeod; children, Heather Gabel, Justin McLeod (Rachel); grandchildren, Brandon Burglund, Alyssa Burglund, Wyatt Gabel, Jax McLeod and Zoe McLeod and her brother, Charles “Buddy” Robinson. Bonnie is preceded in death by her sister, Connie Abramson.
As requested by Bonnie, Sunday, February 7, 2021, at 4:30PM CST/2:30PM PST family and friends will come together via website with a remembrance presentation in lieu of a memorial service. Login code will be shared via social media or you may contact a family member for details.
Additionally, she requested a “buddy bench” be installed at Yankeetown Elementary School. If interested in contributing to the cause, a Venmo account was created(@ScottJMcLeod) for this final gift to her community.
Russell Milligan, 56
Died February 10, 2021.
Center Grove High School, Greenwood, IN
Chemistry, Softball
Russell H. Milligan, age 56, of Greenwood, IN, passed away on Wednesday, February 10, 2021 at Community South Hospital in Indianapolis.
Russ was born in Escanaba, MI to James and Margaret Milligan. He was a 1982 graduate of Concord High School in Goshen, IN and a 1986 graduate of Wabash College where he earned a degree in Biology. Russ started his teaching and coaching career in Frankfort, IN. He then left Frankfort in 1990 to become a chemistry teacher and assistant football coach at Center Grove High School. Russ has taught Chemistry at Center Grove High School for 31 years and has been the Varsity Girls Softball coach for 27 years. He will forever be remembered for his blunt honesty, his love of teaching and love of high school athletics. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and many students. To honor his memory, please always remember, “Life is pretty simple.”
Survivors include his wife Alisha M. (Lemons) Milligan; parents, James and Margaret Milligan of Chesnee, SC; sons, Jacob Russell Milligan of Lander, WY and Alex Milligan of Indianapolis; brothers, James Milligan (Katrina) of Sevierville, TN and Scott Milligan (Michelle) of Belfast, ME; and many beloved friends and students.
Due to the pandemic, the family will have a private family gathering on Saturday, February 13 at Wilson St. Pierre Funeral Service and Crematory-Greenwood Chapel. A celebration of life will be held later this spring to commemorate Russ’ life and celebrate his love of Center Grove Trojan Softball.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to The United States National Park Service, https://www.nps.gov/getinvolved/donate.htm
Laurel Rose Swing, 50
Died December 10, 2020.
Lakewood Park Christian School, Auburn, IN
Fine Arts
LAUREL “LAURI” ROSE SWING, 50, passed away Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020, in Fort Wayne due to complications from COVID-19. Born in Wina -mac, Ind., she was a daughter of the late, George Erb, and Elaine Erb of Fort Wayne, who survives. Lauri worked as a teacher her entire career, beginning with East Allen County Schools, then committing her life to teaching her four children at home, and most recently with Lakewood Park Christian School in the Fine Arts Department. She was a member of Westwood Fellowship Church of Woodburn.
Lauri is survived by her husband, Lynn Swing, of Woodburn, Ind.; children, Andrew (Naomi) Swing of Fort Wayne, Caleb (Ember) Swing of Upland, Ind., Bryce Swing of Woodburn, Ind., and Cassie Swing of Woodburn, Ind.; one-granddaughter, Eleanor; siblings, Kent (Bobbi) Erb, Gary (Cheryl) Erb, Cheri (Cecil) Delph, Mike (Lisa) Earley, John (Becky) Earley, and Kevin Earley.
Private family services will be held at Westwood Fellowship on Monday, Dec. 14, 2020. Burial at Woodburn Evangelical Mennonite Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Miracle Camp and Retreat Center of Lawton, Mich., Lakewood Park Christian School Fine Arts Department, or Westwood Fellowship.
Pamela Podany, 67
Died November 17, 2020.
Thorpe Creek Elementary School, Fishers, IN
Head Cook
Born in Flint, Michigan on September 20, 1953
Departed on November 17, 2020 and resided in Noblesville, Indiana
Pamela (Kuhn) Podany, 67, passed away on November 17, 2020 after a month-long battle with COVID-19.
A small family service will be held on Monday, November 23rd at Flanner Buchanan – Carmel. She was born September 20, 1953, in Flint, Michigan to Joan and Ernie Kuhn. Pam graduated from Holy Rosary High School before continuing on to study nursing at Harper Hospital School of Nursing. She married Randy Podany in 1974, they lived in Flint before relocating to the Chicagoland area. They left Chicago to be closer to their grandchildren in the Indianapolis area in 2007.
Throughout her life, Pam was a true servant of God. From working as a nurse, to volunteering in her kids’ school when they were young, to working at her church, to working as a special education instructional assistant, to taking care of her grandkids, to serving lunch in an elementary school, Pam dedicated her life to serving others, especially children. In her free time she enjoyed crafting, walking her dogs, shopping, attending her grandchildren’s events, and traveling.
Pamela is survived by her daughter, Kari (Chicago, IL), her son and daughter-in-law, Eric and Mary Podany (Carmel, IN), and her three grandchildren, Ella, Olivia, and Ryan. She was preceded in death by her husband, Randy Podany.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to the Hamilton County Humane Society.
Melinda Roellig, 37
Died November 15, 2020.
Rock Creek Community Academy, Sellersburg, IN
Fine Arts
Melinda Joyce Roellig (Ms. R), 37, avid musician, artist and a beloved educator in Indiana for nearly 15 years. She passed unexpectedly on November 15, 2020 in Clarksville, Indiana. Her memorial service will be held at a later date.
Melinda Roellig was born on December 6, 1982 in Greenock, Strathclyde, Scotland while her father, James Roellig was stationed abroad. She later grew up in Indiana where she went on to earn her Undergraduate and Masters degree in Music Education from the University of Louisville. Melinda was a part of her high school and college marching band and a member of Delta Omicron International Music Fraternity and Tau Beta Sigma Sorority. Melinda served as a fine arts educator at Rock Creek Community Academy, she was also a member in the IUS Community Band where she was mentored by Phil Thomas.
Melinda touched the lives of many and leaves behind a legacy of creativity, inspiration and kindness. She was the kind of person everyone loved and she always knew the right words to say. She would often quote lines from Harry Potter and during this time of sadness she would have chosen this quote; “But you know, happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.”– Albus Dumbledore
She is survived by her Mom Victoria Straub, Step-Father Ed Straub, Father James Roellig, Step-Mother Georgia Roellig, Brother Eric Roellig, Sister-in-law Natalie Roellig, beloved Nieces Marlee and Maycee Roellig, her little sister Alexandra (Ace) Roellig, Aunt Cindy Regen, Uncle Paul Grant, Aunt Kimberly Annuziata, Uncle Dr. Micheal Aunnuziata, Uncle Bill and Larry Roellig, special friend Tim Tatum, beloved dogs and several other family members, close friends and her students.