Albena "Ann" Vahala

Albena “Ann” Vahala, 93 of Elkhart passed away on Wednesday, July 19, 2023 at her home, surrounded by her family. Ann was born on February 28, 1930 in Pleasant City, Ohio to August and Mary (Petkash) Mailot. She married Edward A. Vahala on April 18, 1953 in Byesville, OH.

After many years of purportedly walking through the snow (barefoot and uphill both ways), Ann graduated as valedictorian from Pleasant City High School, class of 1947. She was a member of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church. She and her late husband enjoyed entertaining family and friends tailgating for Notre Dame games. Ann enjoyed reading and particularly sharing books with her friends. She loved bird watching (including plotting how to keep blue jays from stealing all the food she put out. She also had a low opinion of squirrels, another well-known group of bird seed thieves.) She loved planting beautiful flowers at her home.

Her favorite time of all was spent with her family and friends. Ann was a loyal member of the Wednesday Morning Breakfast Club at Perkins Restaurant in Elkhart (crepes with lemon and a mountain of powdered sugar) and the Friday Night Gang (Manhattans then dinner). Her neighbors were her friends and shared gardening tips over coffee for as long as they were neighbors.

Ann is survived by her children,  Dr. Mary Beth Vahala of La Crosse, WI., Michael Vahala of New York, NY., Mark Vahala of Dallas, TX., Matthew (Lawan) Vahala of Fort Atkinson, WI., and Ann (Kevin) Costello of Naperville, IL; grandchildren Justin Vahala, Jamie Vahala, Joshua Vahala, Maggie Costello and Joe Costello; her brother Eugene Mailot of Pleasant City, Ohio and her sister-in-law Phyllis Mailot as well many nieces, nephew, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins and special Friends. Ann was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Edward on September 6, 2008, her brothers Andrew Mailot, Robert Mailot, her sisters, and their husbands; Cecelia (Paul) Kuhar, Agnes (George) Chesar, Millie (Jerry) Minyo, Mary “Mae” (Joe) Basalla and Irene Mailot.

Visitation will be from 4-7 pm on Tuesday July 25, 2023 at Stemm-Lawson-Peterson Funeral Home, 1531 Cobblestone Blvd., Elkhart, IN 46514.  The rosary will be prayed and a eulogy for Ann will be held at 7pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 am on Wednesday, July 26, 2023 at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 1331 North Main Street, Elkhart, IN 46514 where there will be visitation one hour before mass. Fr. Logan Parrish will officiate. Interment will follow at St. Jospeh Valley Memorial Park in Granger, IN.  Memorial donations in memory of Ann may be made to St. Thomas Catholic School. Online condolences may be made to the Vahala family at www.stemmlawsonpeterson.com

Everyone who met Ann commented on her beautiful blue eyes, which might have been bluer than even her favorite singer, Ol’ Blue Eyes. In honor of Ever-Young Blue Eyes, friends and family are encouraged to wear something blue to the service.