February 4, 1933 – June 12, 2018
Louwanna M. “Lou” Nesbitt, 85, Terhune, passed away on Tuesday afternoon, June 12, 2018 at Providence of Anderson. Born February 4, 1933 in Marion County, she was the daughter of the late Russel and Lucille (Bever) Heckman.
Following her high school years at Brownsburg, Lou would enter the workforce, spending a majority of her career in the manufacturing industry. Her first job came with Aircraft Engineering Inc. of Brownsburg. After leaving Aircraft, she hired on for a couple of years with Pitman Moore in Zionsville where she worked in their research department with the monkeys. For a short time, Lou worked for Pickett’s Poultry in Sheridan before returning to manufacturing. She hired on for a few years with Zarring Machine Shop in their electronics assembly department, but would later leave the company when the opportunity presented itself for her to work at BIMCO in Sheridan. She worked as a machinist at BIMCO for over 10 years, before finally retiring from manufacturing.
Work wasn’t the only thing that kept Lou on the go. She was an active member of the Terhune United Methodist Church. She loved to cook, and the Terhune Ladies Aid Society took full advantage of her abilities. Whether it was a Church dinner, a funeral dinner, or the weekly community dinners, anybody who has ever been out to the Terhune United Methodist Church for a meal knows if you leave hungry, it was your own fault. Lou and everyone else that was involved in preparing the meals always made sure there was plenty to eat. Lou’s green beans will most certainly be missed. Lou was also a member of the Sheridan Legion Ladies Auxiliary and a member of the Marion Township chapter of the Boone County Home Makers Extension. Every time an election cycle came around, Lou always made sure that she was a worker with the Boone County Election Board. She was also very dedicated to maintaining the records for Spencer Cemetery, which lies just a little east of Terhune, acting as Secretary and Treasurer for the Cemetery Association for more years than most people can remember.
As busy as Lou kept herself, she still made time for family. She was a loving mother and grandmother; a dedicated Boy Scout den mother and Girl Scout troop leader; and for those who either didn’t have much family or just needed some extra love to help brighten their day, Lou used her love of knitting, sewing and hooking to make pillows, dolls and quilts for Riley Kids and anyone else that was in need.
Lou is survived by her two sons, Russel E. “Rusty” Nesbitt, Chesterfield, and Bill E. Nesbitt, Sheridan; two daughters, Harviena L Heckman-Niccum (Dennis), Anderson, and Carrie Minkner, Sheridan; eight grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her son, Victor Vaughn; grandson, Tracey Redd; two brothers, Russel Heckman, Jr., and Charles Heckman who died in Korea in 1950 and by her best friend and sister-in-law, Marilyn A. Nesbitt. Lou was also preceded in death by the love of her life, her husband Vaughn L. Nesbitt, on March 28, 1987. She and Vaughn were married on July 1, 1955.
Services will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 16, 2018, at Kercheval Funeral Home, 306 E. 10th St., Sheridan, with visitation from 11 a.m. until the time of service. Reverend Frank Ciampa will officiate. Burial will follow at Spencer Cemetery in Sheridan.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be presented to Riley Hospital for Children.
Arrangements
Calling: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., June 16
Service: 2 p.m., June 16
Location: Kercheval Funeral Home
Condolences: KerchevalFuneralHome.com