Anita W. Calkins

Anita W. Calkins, a cherished wife, mother and grandmother who devoted herself to community and brightened countless lives as a volunteer and nurse, died August 12, 2022. She was 94. Anita was born in Benton Harbor, Michigan, to Wilma and Charles Weber. The family moved to Michigan City, Indiana, where Anita was joined by two sisters, Delores (Dutch) and Donna. Following graduation from Elston High School Anita met the love of her life, Lyle H. Calkins, and they were married in 1947. Lyle started working for Indiana Bell Telephone Company, and that career would take them to several cities in Indiana as he was promoted in the company. Meanwhile, their family grew: Carla was born in Michigan City, David in Evansville and Lisa in Bloomington. Despite moving every 2-5 years, the family lived in the same neighborhood in Indianapolis twice, which helped continue family friendships. Anita was gifted at interior design and worked to turn each new house into a home. She was a talented seamstress, making clothes, curtains and re-upholstering furniture. Through the frequent moves, she got kids settled into school and taxied them to sports and activities. She made sure the family met new friends and neighbors and joined a local church. In each new town, Lyle and Anita joined bridge clubs and played regularly. In 1966 the family bought their first ski boat enjoying many Sunday afternoons following church services on Lake Monroe and then at Lamb Lake in Johnson County. The kids gained a lifelong love of the water and still enjoy spending time on lakes with their friends and family. With her kids in college and high school, Anita enrolled at Ivy Tech and received her associate’s degree as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). Anita worked as an LPN for several years at Bloomington Hospital followed by volunteering at the hospital for many years. Volunteerism was always important to Anita; she joined the Welcome Wagon in the cities to which she moved. In Bloomington she volunteered not only at the hospital but also for Hospice and VITAL (Volunteers in Tutoring Adult Learners), teaching English to non-native speakers. Anita was also very proud to serve as a guardian to a Stone Belt resident for several years. As grandchildren came along, Lyle and Anita loved being their babysitters and sharing time with all their grandchildren. They relished attending all the grandkids’ games, performances, competitions and events. Friday night pizza was a multi-decade tradition that brought the families together regularly. Lyle passed away in 2011 and Anita moved to Autumn Hills/Cedarhurst in 2013. There Anita enjoyed many friendships and musical performances and several of her aids went on to become nurses who helped care for her while she was in hospice. The family would like to thank the many nurses, aids and staff members that cared for Anita, and express special thanks to the nurses and staff of Southern Care Hospice that helped her have as good a quality of life as was possible. Anita was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Lyle H. Calkins, and her two brothers-in-law, George Newman and Charles Wiseman. Survivors include her daughter Carla (Hector) Flores, grandchildren Nicholas (Mandi), Elena (Matt) Rector and Carmen; son David Calkins (Elizabeth Elkas), grandchildren Eli (Lana Khoung) and Ellie (Andrew) Breedlove; daughter Lisa (Terry) Quigley, grandchildren Tera, Tim (Joelle), Maddie and Will; and great grandchildren Amaya and Mateo Rector. A service is planned on Saturday, September 17th with visitation at 11:00 am followed by a memorial service at noon at the First United Methodist Church, 219 East 4th Street, Bloomington, IN 47408. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a memorial gift be made to VITAL, Vital Volunteers in Tutoring, 303 E. Kirkwood Ave. Bloomington, IN 47408 Allen Funeral Home and Crematory have been entrusted with arrangements. Online condolences, photos and memories may be shared with family and friends at www.allencares.com.

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Anita W. Calkins

April 7, 1928 - August 12, 2022