Annita "Nita" Louise Oldham Aping, 69, of Punta Gorda, FL, passed away Sunday morning, Sept. 27, 2026, at Charlotte Bay Rehabilitation & Care Center, in Port Charlotte, FL.

Nita was born October 12, 1956, to the late James Albert Oldham and Leatha Josephine (Costelow) Oldham. She was the oldest of 4 children born in her family. In her very early years, she grew up being called "Pedie" by her aunts and uncles. She lived on Goodlet Street on the westside of Indianapolis, IN attending St. Michael School and Cardinal Ritter High School. The family moved from the westside to Martinsville, IN in Oct 1974. Nita graduated from Martinsville High School with the Class of 1975. She married Karl Francis Aping on August 27, 1983. They just celebrated their 43rd wedding anniversary before her passing. 

Nita worked for Indiana Insurance for 22 years, starting out as a data entry clerk then Personal Lines rater, Rater Supervisor and Personal Lines Underwriter. She worked for several independent insurance agencies as a licensed insurance agent at the Henthorn Agency in Beech Grove, IN, and Germania Insurance in Ft. Hood, TX until her health forced her into disability retirement. 

They moved to Marathon, FL, for warmer weather, then settling down in River Haven mobile home park in Punta Gorda, FL, where she lived for 13 years. Nita loved being involved in all the activites her retirement community had to offer, especially unlimited time in their swimming pool. She was involved in Relay for Life for many years as a leukemia survivor and team captain. Nita always had a positive attitude, even through the difficulties life threw at her. She was a fierce fighter, battling rheumatoid arthritis, leukemia, two separate leg amputations, several strokes, vascular dementia, and losing her sons, Nate in 2012 and Jacob in 2026. 

She loved her family dearly and enjoyed many Sunday dinners and holidays making Thanksgiving fudge pies, Christmas cookie trays and chicken spaghetti, and many memories she has left each of us to cherish. She liked to go to her sons' sporting events, was a Colts fan, scrapbooking, jigsaw puzzles, listening to 70's Rock & Roll music especially Neil Diamond, getting her nails painted and making other people happy. Her philosophy was always, "I'm glad I have a glass to pour a drop in." She was a huge inspiration to many, many people! We are all so very sad to see her go but happy that her journey here on earth is now complete. 

Nita leaves behind her husband, Karl, son Dustin (Carmen) Aping, grandchildren Autumn Aping, April Aping, Liam Aping, Ryder Aping, and Sadie Aping. Sisters Kathryn "Kitsi" (Brent) Miles, Kellie (Craig) Adams and brother, Chad (Angie) Oldham, aunts, nieces, nephews, and great nieces and great nephews, cousins, in-laws and friends, plus her pugdog, Ladiebelle. She was preceded in death by her parents, Jim & Jo; sons Nate and Jake; paternal grandmother, Florine Catherine (Mona) Oldham, and maternal grandparents Leslie & Viola Costelow. 

A Celebration of Life will be held October 16, 2026, at Mt. Gilead Church in Mooresville, IN from 11:00am-2:00pm. In honoring Annita's wishes, her earthly remains have been entrusted to Baldwin Brothers Funeral & Cremation Society in Port Charlotte, FL for her cremation arrangements.