Nelle M. (Matson) Everitt

Nelle Marie Everitt, 99, long-time resident of Wesley Manor, passed away Sunday, June 11, 2023, at IU Health Hospital in Frankfort.

Nelle was born September 25, 1923, to Nelson J. and Lena (Arnold) Matson, who farmed outside Gideon, Missouri.  She married Earl Kenneth Williams on March 6, 1945, and he preceded her in death in 1987. She married retired Mason City, IL teacher Harold Everitt on September 25, 1988, and they enjoyed many happy years together before his passing twelve years ago.

Nelle received her teacher’s certificate from Southeast Missouri State Teacher’s College and taught “High First” in Gideon, MO, as husband Ken joined that town’s high school faculty. When together they decided that Ken, who’d been a World War II Navy Pharmacist’s Mate, should attend medical school, Nelle worked a series of office jobs to support the effort.

Ken’s schooling in radiology eventually led them to Louisville, KY, where son Jon (Julie Green) was born and then to Lafayette, IN where son Garry (Julie Jackson) joined the family.

Over the next two decades, as school and work took the family to St. Louis, MO, Rensselaer, IN, Columbus, IN, Frankfort, IN, and Logansport, IN, Nelle found a passion for volunteering and giving to others.  She was a member of Church Women United, Gray Ladies, Pink Ladies, and just about any worthwhile effort that would have her.

In Frankfort, she was a member of St. Matthew United Methodist Church. Along with her passion for volunteering, Nelle enjoyed activities like golf, fishing, and the community’s Senior Olympics. But what probably brought her the most joy was gathering around the game table with family and friends for brain challenging card and board games. Her Wesley Manor “family,” fellow residents and staff alike, have been an incredible force for happiness over the last 27 years of her life, and from what we hear, the feeling was mutual!

Besides sons Jon and Garry Williams, Nelle is survived by four grandchildren, Jon and Julie’s Emily Rose Williams, and Garry and Julie’s Jennie (Ryan) Atkinson, Wyatt (Danielle) Williams and Matthew Williams. Stepchildren John (Marie) Everitt and Mary Sue (Dennis) Stone each have children and grandchildren that Nelle watched grow up and loved dearly.

Along with her husbands, she was preceded in death by her parents and a wonderful brother, Arnold Matson, whose children, grand, and great-grandchildren have given her the greatest of joy.

A Celebration of Life will be held closer to Nelle’s 100th birthday.