Louise Vorhis' Obituary
Anna Louise Pannebaker Vorhis, only daughter of George and Emma Darnell Pannebaker, was born May 15, 1919, near Lebanon, Missouri. She departed this life Saturday, February 3, 2007, in St. John’s Hospital, in Springfield, Missouri, at the age of eighty-seven years, eight months, and eighteen days. On July 31, 1961, she was united in marriage to Ralph C. Vorhis, and together they shared twenty-two years before his passing on November 12, 1983. She also was preceded in death by her parents; and a brother, Lawrence Pannebaker. Louise is survived by a stepson, Ralph C. Vorhis, Jr., of San Antonio, Texas; three stepdaughters, Marcia Owens, of Ridgecrest, California, Christine Walls, of Antimony, Utah, and Stephanie McFarlane, of Saluda, North Carolina; a sister-in-law, Helen Pannebaker, of Lebanon, Missouri; two nieces, Elizabeth Schmoutey, and her husband, Robert, of Lebanon, Missouri, and Anna Jemes, and her husband, Roger, of Conway, Missouri; as well as a host of other relatives and friends. She was born and raised in the Lebanon, Missouri area. After graduating from high school, she attended Iberia Junior College, and graduated from Southwest Missouri University and the University of Missouri. She taught at several Laclede County rural schools and in the Lebanon R-III School System during the 1940’s. She served as the first principal of Maplecrest Elementary School. From 1950 until 1972, she was Director of Elementary Education for the Marshall Public School System, in Marshall, Missouri. Louise joined the First Congregational Church of Lebanon at an early age. She was confirmed in the Episcopal Church in Marshall, Missouri on October 7, 1962, and then transferred her membership to Trinity Episcopal Church in Lebanon in the fall of 1972. She remained active in Trinity Episcopal for many years, and was instrumental in the founding of the church Gift Shop. In her spare time she enjoyed sewing, tatting, and making dolls. She also loved cats. Louise was greatly loved by all of her family and many friends. She will be remembered as a devoted teacher and principal, a Christian lady, and a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate her life and her accomplishments and will cherish the wonderful memories she has created for her family and friends. Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, February 9, 2007, in the Trinity Episcopal Church, Lebanon. Burial will be in Mount Rose Memorial Park. Visitation will be held Thursday evening from 7 - 8:30 p.m. under the direction of Holman-Howe Funeral Home of Lebanon, Missouri. Memorials to Trinity Episcopal Church may be made through the funeral home.
What’s your fondest memory of Louise?
What’s a lesson you learned from Louise?
Share a story where Louise's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Louise you’ll never forget.
How did Louise make you smile?