Kristine (Striker) Porter

Kristine (Striker) Porter, 94, of Decatur, Indiana, passed away surrounded by family following a brief illness on Thursday, February 12, 2026, at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

She was born June 29, 1931, in Geneva, Indiana, to the late Carl Mathias and Agnes Margaret (Schenk) Striker. On June 1, 1950, she married Victor Butler Porter, her husband of 71 years, and he preceded her in death on October 24, 2021. Both graduated from Decatur High School, class of 1949.

Kris was a member of Grace First Community Church (formerly First United Methodist Church) in Decatur, where she served on various committees, including United Methodist Women, Youth Fellowship Leader, Children’s Choir Director, Bible School Coordinator/Teacher and Lay Witness Mission Team.

Kris was an Honorary Retired member of the Alpha Delta Chapter of Psi Iota Xi Sorority, a Cub Scout Den Mother for many years, Brownie and Girl Scout Leader, PTO member, Decatur Community Fund Coordinator, member of the Order of the Eastern Star, and also active in the Adams County Republican Party.

Kris helped her husband Vic through the founding of Vic’s Frozen Food Center and Center Ice Cream, as well as two boat companies, Duo, Inc. in 1958, and Signa Corp. with five business associates in 1970, and in purchasing Thunderbird Products/Formula in 1976, which has been owned and managed by the Porter family for 50 years. Kris was active in the business with marketing projects and employee insurance for many years.

Vic and Kris founded the Porter Family Foundation, providing philanthropic funding to charities and organizations, including funding for the formation of Adams Woodcrest and donating land and funding for Adams Memorial Hospital. Vic and Kris also established the Victor and Kristine Porter Community Enrichment Fund with the Adams County Community Foundation. They were also Callithumpian Parade Grand Marshals.

Kris enjoyed boating, music, reading, watching cardinals, jigsaw and crossword puzzles, playing bridge, and was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She also loved her team of dedicated caregivers. Kris and Vic enjoyed summers at Lake Wawasee and winters in Naples, Florida. 

Kristine is survived by five sons, John (Eileen Wakefield) Porter of South Bend, IN, Scott (Shelley) Porter, Grant (Deb) Porter, Wayne (Karen) Porter, Ted (Emily) Porter, all of Decatur, and daughter Jean (Charlie) Brune of Decatur, 17 grandchildren, Mathew (Samantha) Porter of Indianapolis, Alex Porter of Fishers, Erik Porter of Fort Wayne, Kevin (Amber) Porter of Las Vegas, NV, Kyle (Kate) Porter of Decatur, Matthew (Alison) Mishler of Noblesville, Mark Mishler of Indianapolis, Mary Anne (John) Workinger of Decatur, Adam (Clint Bayman) Porter of Cape Coral, FL, Jeremy Porter of Decatur, Sarah (Mackenzie) Bolinger of Decatur, Jason (Kimberly) Brune of Decatur, Ryan (Genevieve) Brune of Bexley, OH, Nathan (Lauren) Brune of Leo, Daniel (Katie) Porter of Decatur, Christopher Porter of Decatur and Joshua (Alexis) Porter of Decatur, and 27 great-grandchildren, London, Cameron, Astrid, Tessa, Isaac, Lucy, Quincy, Ally, Henry, Drake, Ella, Cain, Zeke, Logann, Carter, Hailey, Caleb, Abigail, Noah, Lillian, Isabelle, Parker, Eli, Lila, Theo, Eleanor and Amelia.

Kris was preceded in death by a sister, Karlann (Striker) Kelley.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, February 20, 2026, at Grace First Community Church, 502 W. Monroe St., Decatur, Indiana, with calling one hour prior from 10:00-11:00 a.m. Officiating will be Pastor Steve Austin. Burial will be held in Decatur Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 2:00 to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, February 19, 2026, at Zwick and Jahn Funeral Home in Decatur.

Memorials may be made to Grace First Community Church, Decatur, or the Victor and Kristine Porter Community Enrichment Fund.

Arrangements by Zwick & Jahn Funeral Homes of Decatur, Indiana