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On July 4, 2017 eighty-five year old Albert Ray Anness, a resident of the Indiana Masonic Retirement Community in Franklin, Indiana passed to the celestial Lodge.
A Masonic service will be conducted Monday, July 10, 2017 at 2PM at the Indiana Masonic Home Kresge Chapel at Compass Park with a funeral service immediately following by the Reverend Mark S. Vice conducting. Friends may call Monday from 12 Noon till service time at the Kresge Chapel.

Born in Hamilton, Ohio September 14, 1931, the son of Lynn Kenneth and Clara Susan (Barr) Anness, Al was educated in the Hamilton Ohio Public School System. While attending Hamilton High School in 1949 he was appointed a Page in the United States House of Representatives and attended the Capitol Page School located in the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., and is a member of the Capitol Page Alumni Association. Earning his college expenses required him to obtain his higher education, either part time during the day or at night school. Albert attended Indiana University, Miami University (Ohio), and is a former member of the University of Toledo Alumni Association. Al served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.

It was while attending Miami University he met fellow student and his future wife Sharon Louise Kirby of Perrysburg, Ohio. They were married on his twenty-sixth birthday in Monroe, Michigan. On his surprise 80th Birthday Party on September 14, 2011 Sharon and Al also celebrated their 54th Wedding Anniversary! They are 2 months shy of their 60th this year!

Al spent nearly forty years in automotive replacement parts and repair equipment sales. Residing in the Toledo, Ohio area for 20 years until being transferred to Wisconsin where they lived in Waukesha, a suburb of Milwaukee until their retirement in 1999 where upon they relocated to Batesville, Indiana to be near family. They are members of New Point Christian Church, New Point, Indiana, where Al served as President of their Preschool and Day Care Board of Directors, and enjoyed membership in the YMCA.

He was named a ‘living history demonstrator’ by the Union County, Indiana Historical Society at their 1997 Founder’s Day Celebration in Liberty for his short story, “The Train Hold Up.” Later he received excellent reviews for his book, “Growing up in Liberty.” Al had two vignettes about his service as a Page in the United States House of Representatives published in the Congressional Record.
He was a member of the Society of Indiana Pioneers, Butler County Ohio Historical Society, Grant County Kentucky Historical Society and the Union County Indiana Historical Society. He and Sharon enjoyed travel; Al was a ‘’avid student’ of American colonial and North American woodland Indian history.

Al was raised a Master Mason in the Fraternity of Free & Accepted Masons in Phoenix Lodge #123 at Perrysburg, Ohio on May 14, 1966. He affiliated with Batesville Lodge #668 June 7, 2001 and was elected Master of the Lodge in 2004 and later served as the Lodge’s Secretary and Ambassador to the Indiana Masonic Home Foundation. He served a three year term on the Board of Directors of the Indiana Masonic Library and Museum located at Freemason Hall in Indianapolis.

After twelve years residency in Batesville, Indiana Al and Sharon elected to spend the remainder of their retirement years at the Indiana Masonic Retirement Community in Franklin, Indiana.

Shortly after relocating to the Indiana Masonic Al transferred his Masonic Affiliation to Devol Lodge #766 located at the Indiana Masonic Home which was in 2016 renamed Compass Park. He served as Devol’s IMHF Ambassador and is a Past President of the High Twelve Club #545. A member of the York Rite, Chapter #10, Council #54 and Commandry #14 of nearby Columbus, Indiana. Al was, in 2015 elected an Honorary Member of the Marvin L. Isley College #129, York Rite Sovereign College of North America. Both he and Sharon enjoyed membership at Daylight Court #31 Order of the Amaranth. Al and Sharon are members of the IMHF Corinthian Society.
Presentation in 2016 of Al’s 50 Year ‘Award of Gold’ was the highlight of his Masonic career!
Al’s final resting place will be at Fort Meigs Cemetery located near the palisades of the restored Fort Meigs which during the War of 1812 was twice besieged by the British and Indians, led by the Immortal Tecumseh. Fort Meigs Cemetery, overlooking the Maumee River is located in Sharon’s hometown of Perrysburg, Ohio which has also been their former residence for a number of early years of marriage.
A host of special friends over the years, his fraternal brothers and sisters, and his faith in God have added greatly to Al’s enjoyment for life!
Al is survived by his wife Sharon; sister Adeline of Norfolk, VA; nieces: Melody (Jim) Bohrer of Guilford, IN, Sheila (Dave) Metzcar of Florence, KY, Dianne Bates of Fairfield, OH, Pat (Bob) Hoffman of W. Harrison, IN; nephews: Guy (Pam) Hapner of Hamilton, OH, Bob (Darlene) Anness of St. Louis, MO; great-nieces and nephews; as well as great-greats; cousins: Dennis (JoAnne) Anness of Columbus, IN, Suzanne Gillum of Avon, IN, Edwin (Becky) Anness of Indianapolis, IN, Ron (Molly) Anness of Greenfield, IN, and Mark (Robin) Anness of New Palestine, IN.
In lieu of flowers, you may wish to donate to the Indiana Masonic Home Foundation, P. O. Box 44201, Indianapolis, Indiana 46244-01210 or to New Point Christian Church in New Point, IN.
Swartz Family Community Mortuary and Memorial Center, 300 South U.S. 31 (Morton Street) in Franklin, Indiana is handling the arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.swartzmortuary.com. Information at 317-738-0202.

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