Pauline ‘Darla’ McCammon

Pauline “Darla” McCammon, of Warsaw, passed away at home surrounded by her loving family on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at the age of 84.
Darla was born to Paul Emilee Hartzler and Margaret Louise Hamilton on Nov. 7, 1941, in Terre Haute. She is survived by her three siblings: Joni Hartzler, Florida; Sandra Lanke, New York; and her brother, Paul Hartzler Jr., Terre Haute.
Darla was the proud mother of four daughters who loved her fiercely: Michele (Mike) Payton, Warsaw; Darlene (Phil) Romano, Florida; Marlo (Brian) Swanson, Ohio; and DeeAnna Muraski, Warsaw. She later married her second husband, John R. McCammon, and welcomed two stepchildren into her family, Dana Daniele Metzger, Franklin, Va.; and Shawn McCammon, Fontanet. She has three grandchildren: Mark Sullivan, Texas; Kaylee Swanson, Ohio; and Jessica Swanson, Ohio, as well as three step-grandchildren: Soren Metzger, Danielle Metzger and Bishop Metzger, all of Washington, D.C.
An Indiana Merit Scholar, Darla attended Indiana State University. She later moved to Huntington Beach, Calif., where she raised her four daughters and left an indelible mark on the community. In the early 1960s, alongside her best friend Linda Scoles, she co-founded what would become the Dana Wharf Art on the Pier — an initiative born from a desire to support both commerce and the arts. The event has since welcomed over a billion visitors and remains a vibrant testament to her vision. Darla was a member of the prestigious Huntington Art Guild, where she engaged with many renowned artists and speakers. Her lifelong love of art expressed itself through watercolor and oil painting, mediums she cherished deeply.
While in California she also started and ran her own successful publishing company, D&E Publishing, where she wrote, illustrated and sold books for local colleges and schools.
After returning to Indiana, Darla built a distinguished career at AT&T, rising to the position of Majors Account Executive. She managed major accounts across Indiana, Illinois and Ohio, brokering more than $100 million in telecommunications contracts — a reflection of her intelligence, tenacity and leadership.
In retirement, her impact only expanded. She volunteered at the Kosciusko County Animal Welfare League and ultimately became its executive director. She was instrumental in securing county financial involvement, acquiring the property for the current shelter facility, and overseeing the rendering and construction of the building that stands today.
For more than 15 years, Darla faithfully authored the “Art in Action” column, published monthly to over 115,000 readers across Whitley, Elkhart and Kosciusko counties, as well as online. For over 10 years she served as the City Hall Art Museum curator, bringing in new artists monthly to showcase their art and expose locals to different talents. She was a member of Lakeland Art Association for many years. She had the idea to bring in the famous Seward Johnson Life-sized statues, garnering sponsors and implemented the Walk N’Wander. She gave her voice freely as a volunteer to promote creativity, culture and community.
Her love of writing led her to write and publish “Diamond Bait” an adventure novel about a girl lost in the wilds of Canada. She wrote many other stories that were not yet published. She served as county president for Kosciusko County Extension and held numerous leadership roles within the Rural Neighbors Club. She was a devoted member of the Claypool United Methodist Women’s Group, attended New Hope Wesleyan Church in Columbia City and was a proud Warsaw Rotarian. Darla also held a private pilot’s license and a boating/seaman’s license — always adventurous, always capable.
She loved gardening, trees, birds, golfing, camping and the quiet majesty of nature. She established her home as a Certified Wetlands, welcoming otters, sandhill cranes, herons, eagles and egrets to her sanctuary. She was a lifelong reader, thinker and creator. She was an accomplished pianist and guitarist as well as an ASCAP published and recorded songwriter.
Above all, Darla was a woman of resilience and strength — a mother who stood beside her daughters in every season of hardship and triumph. She was beloved and evoked a sense of adventure and creativity.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at New Hope Wesleyan Church, 971 N. CR 400W, Columbia City, Indiana … date and time to be announced. Arrangements were entrusted to Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw.
Darla’s wish is that memorial contributions be made to Operation Read, P.O. Box 796, Warsaw, IN 46581-0796 — her daughter DeeAnna’s 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, which provides books and tutoring to children in need. Notes of condolence, memories and care may be directed to P.O. Box 796, Warsaw, IN 46581-0796.
Online condolences may be sent through the funeral home’s website at www.redpathfruthfuneralhome.com