Irene Pancol

Irene Pancol

Nov. 1, 1928 - Jan. 10, 2008

Irene (Tzouanakis) Pancol of Anderson passed away in Hollywood, Fla., on Jan. 10, 2008, after a courageous battle with cancer.

She was born in Bloomington, on Nov. 1, 1928. She graduated from Bloomington High School and attended Indiana University. After marrying George, she worked as secretary to Dean Patty of the School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation while George attended Law School at IU. She moved to Anderson in 1953 and lived in Anderson most of her life. Throughout her years in Anderson, she was active in many city and county organizations, including the Madison County Red Cross Drive, Madison County United Fund, the Paramount Theatre Restoration, First United Methodist Church Building Fund and Columbia and Riley schools PTA. She was also an assistant Boy/Girl Scout troop leader.

She had been a Democratic Precinct Committee Person since 1959. She has been very active in the Madison County Cancer Association/Relay for Life, for the past six years.

Irene was active in the Indiana University Alumni Association of Madison County, serving as president for two years, and on the board for six years. In 1998, she received the Indiana University Alumni Club of Madison County Distinguished Alumni Service Award. She also served on the Indiana University Executive Council for two consecutive terms. In 2002, she was awarded the Indiana University Alumni Association President’s Award in Bloomington, and her entire family was in attendance to see her receive this honor. Irene was a loyal fan of IU basketball and IU football, holding season tickets for both sports since 1947 when she and George were students at IU. She also became a true fan of Anderson High School, attending her children’s and grandchildren’s activities and loving AHS basketball.Irene cherished her 58 years with her husband, George, whom she married in Bloomington in 1949. She felt blessed with two children that she was so proud of. She loved to spend time with her six grandchildren, and she had many special parties for each of them. She kept her calendar full with their activities, and she attended all of their many sporting and theatrical events. She celebrated the arrival of her three great-grandchildren, who added more joy to a fantastic family.

Irene had a competitive spirit. She was an avid golfer, a fun-loving bridge and card player; she loved entertaining her friends of many years and kept a very busy schedule with travel, family and athletic events!

Irene is survived by her husband, George G. Pancol; son, G. George (wife, Anne) Pancol; daughter, Deborah Marie (husband, Brian) Elpers; six grandchildren, Alison Pancol, Lindsey Garner, Samantha Pancol, Michael Elpers, Melissa Elpers and Eric Elpers; three great-grandchildren, Michaela Garner, Dawson Garner and Elijah Pancol; two brothers, Dr. Pete (wife, Delores) Zonakis of Fort Wayne, and Victor Nick (wife, Joyce) Zonakis of Columbus, Ohio; sisters-in-law, Mary Raikos of Indianapolis, Sophia (husband, Dan) Campbell of Fort Myers, Fla., Marguerita Alder of Cincinnati, Ohio, Soteria (husband, David) Nicholson of Anderson, Teddy (husband, Dick) Bohnenkamp of Anderson, and Joan Zonakis of Bradenton, Fla.; and several nieces and nephews.

Irene was preceded in death by her parents, Sam and Mary (Miller) Tzouanakis; and brothers, Michael Zonakis and John Zonak.

Services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday at First United Methodist Church, 1215 Jackson St., Anderson, with Pastor John Wortinger officiating. Burial will take place at Maplewood Cemetery, Anderson. A memorial dinner will be served at the First United Methodist Church following the burial.

Visiting hours will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at Rozelle-Johnson Funeral Home, 229 S. Rangeline Road, Anderson, and one hour prior to the service at the church.

Memorial contributions may be made in lieu of flowers to the Madison County Cancer Society/Relay for Life, Saint John’s Hospice or First United Methodist Church.

For more information and to post a comment, visit www.caringbridge.org/visit/irenepancol.