Edna Helen “Etta” Heininger, 91, Columbia City, died at 10:06 a.m. Friday, Dec. 2, 2016 at Miller’s Merry Manor where she had been a resident since March 22, 2013.

She was born March 21, 1925 in Philadelphia, Penn., a daughter of John and Helen (Stanley) Knowles. She graduated from Kensington High School in Philadelphia.

On Jan. 29, 1949 she was united in marriage to George Michael Heininger. They made their home in the Port Richmond area of Philadelphia where George worked as a huckster selling produce with his horse and wagon. Mr. Heininger died Jan. 30, 1980. In the 2000s, Etta moved to Northeast Philadelphia.

She was a homemaker until later in life when she worked for the Mayor’s Commission on Services to the Aging in Philadelphia. Upon retirement, she moved to Port Charlotte, Fla. with her daughter, Donna. In 2011, Etta moved to Indiana to live with her daughter, Linda.

She was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary Skleno Club on Janney Street in Philadelphia. A funny, smart and classy woman who loved the Lord, her family and the beach, she enjoyed spending many summers by the seashore in New Jersey and later Florida.

Surviving relatives include a daughter, Linda P. (Jerry) Gottschalk of South Whitley; five grandchildren: Jeanine Lyn Hearn Zuener, Carly Michelle Heininger, Jason Campbell, Lori (Denny) Gottschalk Hull and Jeff (Angie) Gottschalk; nine great grandchildren: Andrew, Nathaniel, Kaitlyn and Madelyn Zuerner, Phillip Nygren, Ashleigh and Zachary Hull, Logan and Wyatt Gottschalk; a daughter-in-law, Anne Marie Breen Heininger, Philadelphia; and a son-in-law, Garry Fortner of North Manchester.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by a son, George Michael Heininger Jr.; a daughter, Donna Helen Heininger Fortner; and a sister, Doris Knowles Landenberger.

A private family graveside memorial service will be held Monday, Dec. 12, 2016 at Oakland Cemetery, Philadelphia.

Preferred memorials are to Miller’s Merry Manor Activity Department.

Arrangements are being completed by Smith & Sons Miller Chapel, South Whitley.