Annabelle M. Lichtenberger

Annabelle Mae Lichtenberger, a beacon of love and grace, departed this world on May 28, 2024, at the age of 94 to be embraced by her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Her life was a testament to resilience, compassion, and unwavering faith. Born on March 31, 1930, in Decatur, Indiana, Annabelle was the cherished daughter of the late Carl Shaffer and Myrtle (Bailer) Kahn. On April 18, 1954, Annabelle married Carl Lichtenberger. She graduated in 1948 with a home economics diploma from Decatur High School. One of the things she always taught us was a saying that her teacher made famous: “Girls, girls girls…do you want a black eye? Shut those cupboard doors!”

Annabelle worked at the local Dime Store before changing jobs to F McConnell & Sons. Following her tenure there, she took a job at the Phil Macklin company before leaving to become a homemaker, mother, and all around you name it!

She was a faithful member of the Decatur Missionary/Crossroads church until she later attended Mt. Zion UB church in Bobo, Indiana.

Mark, Jon and I remember a Friday night that Dad was off; Dad was off work, watching tv.  Mom was upstairs putting laundry away.  A terrific thunderstorm was going on, but we kept watching anyway.  She came downstairs and said, "Carl, you better shut that tv off or it's going to get struck by lightning!"  He basically told her to keep moving.  She did.  Within seconds, lightning DID strike and toast that TV.  We went without one for several long years as to what he thought of that…!!  She always did have a hotline!  To this day, anytime a storm comes around, we talk and laugh about that.

Annabelle’s heart knew no bounds. She loved her family fiercely, always putting their needs before her own, and her home was a haven of warmth and acceptance. She found solace in her trust in Jesus, and her Bible was well-worn from countless readings. Annabelle believed in grace, forgiveness, and the promise of eternal life. She enjoyed traveling to Texas and South Carolina to visit family and reveled in family reunions, where Southern drawls mixed with Midwestern accents. Later in life, Annabelle loved reading, doing word puzzles, and bird-watching on the porch with her kitties.

Annabelle’s legacy lives on through her devoted family. She leaves behind a tapestry of love, woven across generations: three sons, Timothy (Mary Ann) Lichtenberger of Decatur, Indiana, Jonathan (Shareen) Lichtenberger of Wren, Ohio, and Mark Lichtenberger of Michigan City, Indiana; two daughters, Rebecca (Terry) Reichard of Van Wert, Ohio, and Leah Lichtenberger (Lowell Penner) of Millersburg, Indiana; three grandchildren, Holly (Andrew) Ulrey, Lauren (Dalton) Brazell, and Amber Lichtenberger; and three great-grandchildren: Cole Ulrey, Finley Mae Brazell, and Indigo Brazell.

Annabelle now joins her loving husband, Carl Lichtenberger, in the embrace of eternity. She was also preceded in death by brothers Charles Shaffer and Jesse Shaffer, sister Mary Jane Reinhart, and grandchildren, Timothy J Brite and Lydia Rose Lichtenberger.

A graveside service will be held at 3:30 p.m. Friday, May 31, 2024, at the East Salem Cemetery with Pastor Ernie Suman officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Prison Fellowship, a charity close to Annabelle’s heart. Checks can be mailed to the Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home, 520 N 2nd Street Decatur, Indiana 46733.

Arrangements by Zwick & Jahn Funeral Homes of Decatur, Indiana