Nettie Jean Ebert, 90, passed away Wednesday evening, March 9, 2022, at her home
surrounded by her family.
Nettie—a long time resident of Morristown IN, was born in Buckeye Holler, Knox County,
Kentucky, October 5, 1931. She grew up on Stinking Creek, KY with her mother, Birdie (Mills)
Smith, Sister-Zemalia Hubbard, and Brother—Earl Smith. After moving to Indianapolis, in 1948
to live with family—she fell in love and married George G. Ebert Jr. on January 22, 1949.
George, her beloved husband and father to her 5 children preceded her in death on April 11,
2013. Nettie was a member of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Shelbyville, IN and attended
Brookville Road Community Church in New Palestine, IN for many years.
Nettie is survived by her children: George G. Ebert III (wife, Anita) of Fort Wayne, Juanita M.
Brand of New Palestine, Sheila A. Appleby (husband-Randy), Clarence E. Ebert (wife, Robin),
Greg W. Ebert (wife, Rebecca)—all from Morristown, Tom Antrobus of Liberty, and Diana
Deweese of Pineville, Louisiana, Nettie was also blessed with 15 grandchildren; 29 great-
grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and several nieces and nephews.
Nettie, had many different jobs in her life as she and George worked hard to raise their 5
children. She was a caregiver for others at home and at Hancock Regional, she was a
campground attendant, she worked in the local factory making auto parts, she was a waitress/
server and became first licensed woman bartender in Indiana. Nettie loved camping, as well as
fishing with ‘George’. She and George were instrumental in helping establish the Brookville
Anglers -Annual Children's Tournament—which was a wonderful way to young children
understand the joy of fishing and the importance of sharing that joy with others.
Nettie was always one to help another who was in need. It could be someone who didn’t have
diapers, formula or a baby bed or even a car or a stove. She would work to help others in need-
in a quiet and selfless manner. She was one who others sought out for motherly advice and
comfort in times of need.
But Nettie’s proudest accomplishment was the way she modeled and guided her children as a
role model for hard work, determination, joy and love–in her roles as wife, mother,
grandmother, great-grandmother & daughter-in-law. She cared for her mother-in-law—Lavania
Ebert, for 8 years while Lavania was bed-ridden. She raised 7 children to be thoughtful, kind and productive persons who gave back to the world--with one son as a highly successful mechanical engineer; one daughter who was a Cardiac Nurse, one daughter who is a Nurse Practitioner and Professor of Nursing; one son who is a Pastor and a gifted carpenter; another son who has a wonderful gift to maintain and repair any sort of engine or auto and works to help ensure that others—less fortunate have opportunities to have needed transportation.
And finally, Nettie and George gave the gift of themselves—where they changed a family
tragedy into a blessing for all—by choosing to raise their niece and nephew after the tragic loss of their parents—and embrace them in their family as their own children.
Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, March 14, 2022, at Freeman Family Funeral
Homes and Crematory, Frazier Chapel, 124 E. North St. in Morristown.
Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. at the funeral home, with Pastor Hubert Nolen officiating.
Interment will be at Asbury Cemetery in Morristown.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Brookville Angler Club Children’s Tournament, 136 S. Carthage Road, Charlottesville, Indiana.
Online condolences may be shared with Nettie’s family
at www.freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.