AKRON – Polly Ann Finney, 68, Akron, died at 7 p.m. Dec. 2, 2013, in Parkview Regional Medical Center of Fort Wayne, as a result of a fall at her residence Sunday. She was born April 13, 1945, in Rochester, to Paul E. and Emelyn Evelyn Harter Fites. On Dec. 26, 1965, at her parents’ homestead, she married Jerry Finney, who survives. She taught at Mentone Elementary School and Tippecanoe Valley Middle School as an art instructor. She retired in 2007 after teaching for 39 years. She was a graduate of Akron High School in 1963 where she was a cheerleader for the black and gold Akron Flyers, and then she attained her bachelor’s degree from Manchester College and her master’s degree from St. Francis University. She was a 50-year member of the Order of the Eastern Star. She also was a member of the Kappa Delta Phi of Akron and was on the Akron Carnegie Library Board. She was the past president of the ISTA for Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation. She enjoyed gardening, decorating inside and out, reading, camping, going to all sporting events, bowling, cooking, golfing with her husband and spending time with her grandkids. Also surviving are two sons, Tom (and spouse Rose) Finney, Greenfield, and Scott (and spouse Shelly) Finney, Akron; three grandchildren: Ashley, Sarah and Emmelyn; a brother, Tom (and spouse Sharon) Fites, Akron; two sisters-in-law, Janet (and spouse John) Swanson, Winona Lake, and Donna Mort, North Webster; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Herb Fites. Services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at Hartzler Funeral Home, 305 W. Rochester St, Akron, with Pastor Jeff Sumner officiating. Burial is in Akron Cemetery, Akron. Calling is from 2 to 8 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home. ***** Memorials to Akron Area Art League or the Akron Carnegie Library. Condolences may be sent via www.hartzlerfuneralservices.com
