Victor E. Porter, 57 of Windfall died on Thursday, November 3, 2016 in Indianapolis. He was born in Tipton on March 9, 1959 to Franklin Delano & JoAnne Marie (DeLaVergne) Porter. He married Dee Ann Planalp on September 24, 1988 and she survives. He currently was a much-loved and respected paleontologist at the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis.
Victor graduated from Tri-Central High School in 1978. He was the former general manager at J. Lewis Small Company in Elwood; was a former well driller and plumber at Porter Drilling Company and a self employed jeweler for 40 years. He volunteered at the Indiana State Museum since 1985 and participated on many mastodon and mammoth digs in Indiana. Victor worked on Peccary Cave digs for 30 years and volunteered with Black Hills Institute of Geological Research on numerous dinosaur and fossil digs since 1987 as a self-taught paleontologist. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and Past Master and belonged to the Scottish Rite. Victor loved his museum work and his family.
Through the years Victor’s illness required him to have three kidney transplants which he received through gifts from his brother, sister-in-law and daughter.
Survivors, besides his wife Dee Ann, include his parents of Windfall, one daughter Victoria Porter and husband Clayton Smith, Indianapolis, one son, Alexander Porter at home, one brother, Virgil “Bud” Franklin Porter and wife JeanaMarie, Sharpsville, one sister, Lisa Jewell Clark and husband Andy, Windfall; his mother-in-law, Helen Planalp, Tipton and a large extended family.
Funeral services for Victor will be at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 9 at Rock Prairie Baptist Church, 421 Ash Street, Tipton with Pastor Kevin Carr presiding. Visitation will be from 3:00 – 8:00 p.m. Tuesday and from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, all at the church. Burial will be in Brookside Cemetery, Windfall at a later date. Young-Nichols Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Memorial contributions in Victor’s honor may be made to the Paleontology Lab at the Children’s Museum, 3000 N. Meridian Street, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46208 or to Donate Life America, 701 East Byrd Street, 16th Floor, Richmond, Virginia, 23219.
Following the funeral on Wednesday the Austin Masonic Lodge will have a memorial service for Victor at the Masonic Temple, 122 N. Main Street, Tipton. The service is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. and the public is invited.
Dee Ann, Victoria, Alex and all the rest of the family,
I am SO SORRY to hear of Victor*s passing. Please know you are all in our thoughts & prayers
Penni (Chadwell) Barnes & family
I am so sorry for your lost. Are prayers are with all of you. Godd amazing love surroun all of you
Praying for your family. Take comfort in the fact that he was loved by many.
Dee Ann, and all his loving children and his family…. My heart is so broken right now for all of you.Victor was truly a good man, he certainly fought the good fight.I am so very sorry for your loss. Hold on to those precious memories.. I am here if any of you need anything, I mean that. God be with you all .
We are so sorry to hear this about Victor. I have known you guys for many years & know what all you’ve been through.. Our thoughts, prayers & love go out to all of you.
My deepest condolences for your loss. When growing up, Victor was one of my best friends and I remember fondly some of the art/craft work we did over the years. He will be missed by his Masonic Brothers.
We send prayers to the PORTER family and pray for comfort and peace !
John (Fred) Buckley family
Dee Ann & family; Theresa and I were saddened to hear that Victor has passed. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
So sorry for your loss. Eternal rest grant unto Victor.
I am so sorry about Victor passing. My deepest condolences.
So sorry for your loss. He was loved by all and will surley be missed. My you find peace and comfort knowing eternity is forever.
The Heavens has added one more great angel.
Your family is in my thoughts and prayers,
My heart goes out to you.
We are so sorry for your loss. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers.
My heart is with you now and always.
Love,
Donna
So very sorry to hear this I remmber him growing up such a fine polite young man.my prayers for all the family
So Sorry for the loss of Victor. Prayers for the family
We are very sorry for your loss. As anyone knows , Victor is the most gentle and kind man. He always had time for anyone – student, teacher, or visitor to share his love for fossils. The world was a better place because of Victor.
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. Victor was a good friend in highschool. he was a great man. he will be watching over all of us now. My prayers and thoughts go out to you in your family in your time of need.
Dee Ann,Victoria & Alexander, so sorry to her of Victor passing. Take comfort in all the good memories that you have.
You are in my thoughts and prayers Dee we shared a lot of memories over the 30 yrs of beautification projects.
Love to all of you.
Patti
We are so sorry for your loss. Lean on your family and friends and God for the support that is there..
Oh Aunt Joanne I’m so sorry! Mom called me yesterday, All my love and prayers to you, uncle frank, and family. Love always ,
Vernette (Vern) Wilkinson
Enjoyed working with Victor at J. LEWIS SMALL CO. Always courteous and just an all around nice guy. My sincere sympathy to his family.
Dee Ann and children sending my condolence to all of you. Such a great fellow. Keeping u in my prayers and thoughts. God has a better place for him in heaven. Our loss. Love u all.
Hello Dee Ann, My sincere condolences for you loss.
So very sorry for your loss. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers.
I am in shock. I am so sorry for your loss. I know he was your best friend and pal. You are in my prayers. I just wish I could just hug the pain away.
Dee Ann, I’m praying for your family, for strength and comfort for the days ahead. My heart breaks for your pain and loss.
I remember back when we worked at Sherrill’s in high school and Victor would come visit or maybe pick you up from work? There was always laughter wth him around. I remember he was a great guy back when we were teens so I know he grew in to a wonderful husband and father for sure. Bask in all the memories and hold him in your heart and he will always be right with you. God be with you.
I am so sorry for your loss. Victor was a sweet and funny guy.He will be truly missed.God bless You through this time and always.
I’m sorry for your loss Dee Ann. I am praying for you and you children.
Dear Uncle Victor, it’s your nephew Jonathyn, I’m 15 now and I miss you a lot. Grandpa Bud is doing well, I now have a Job at beulah Land church too. Alex Is doing really good from what I know, he graduated high school too. I also am still adding minerals to my rock collection, I just wanted to say love you Uncle, bye.