B aird-Freeman Funeral Home

221 North Meridian

Portland, Indiana 47371

260-726-7171

Anita Lauretta Springer, age 97, of rural Portland passed away Monday May 2, 2022 at her residence in rural Portland just weeks before her 98 ^th birthday. She was a fighter all the way to the end, and if she were still here with us, she would be building her RV and planning her future traveling adventure. She was born in Jay County on May 31, 1924 the daughter of Homer I and Rita D. (Nelson) Sheffer. She was married on October 22, 1942 to D. Wayne Springer and he passed away on March 27, 1976.

She was an amazing woman who survived so much and was a driving force of her generation with a passion for life. During WWII, while her husband was stationed in California, she was one of the first women to drive a truck which transported POW's. She volunteered where ever she saw a need and always had a helping hand for anyone.

She was a woman who did not take no for an answer and very proud of everything she built as an independent woman, she got her general contractors license in construction when women were still fighting to be heard. She made a business of rehabbing mobile homes long before it was a trend and later went on to design and build her dream home hoping her family would share it with her.

Anita was a kind soul with a tough exterior who is survived by a son Larry Springer of Grottoes, Virginia. Three grandchildren Therysa, Codie and Chenia, five great grandchildren and one great great grandchild and many loving family and friends.

She was preceded in death by three brothers Lawrence "Bill" Sheffer, Ivan "Sonny" Sheffer and F.A. "Joey" Sheffer and two sisters Pauline Houser and Ursel Stroble.

There will be no funeral services. Burial will be in the Springhill Cemetery in Fort Recovery, Ohio. Baird-Freeman Funeral Home are in charge of arrangements. Memorials can be made to the choice of the donor.

Online condolences at www.baird-freeman.com