Joan Elizabeth Ebacher

RICHMOND, Ind. – Joan Elizabeth Ebacher, age 79, of Richmond, died Monday, February 23, 2015, at Ambassador Healthcare. Born February 24, 1935, in Chicago, Illinois, to Richard and Sylvia Pitra Scholtens, Joan lived much of her life in this community. She earned a degree in registered nursing in 1956 from St. Joseph Hospital, a bachelor’s degree in nursing in1985 from Ball State University, and a master’s degree in adult psychiatric nursing in 1989 from IUPUI. Joan worked in the nursing community at many places, including as the Director of Nursing at Colonial Crest Nursing Home, which is now Golden Living Center-Richmond. She taught for the Learning to Read program at Morrisson-Reeves Library. Joan retired in 1994 from the Richmond State Hospital. She had been a member of Holy Family Catholic Church and Daughters of Isabella. Joan was active in Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, and 4-H. Joan enjoyed art, gardening, birds, dogs, and traveling. Survivors include her husband of 58 years, Donald Edward Ebacher to whom she was married on August 4, 1956; children, Stephen Ebacher of Richmond, Mary (Norman) Estridge of Lafayette, Indiana, Ronald (Denise) Ebacher of Centerville, Patricia (James) Steele of Scottsburg, Indiana, Kenneth Ebacher of Ohio, and Ellen (Jeff) Lewis of Richmond; 15 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren and one on the way; siblings, Robert Scholtens of California, Richard Scholtens of Minnesota, Virginia Johnson of Illinois, Marion Ruzek of Jeffersonville, Indiana, Susan (Billy) DuBose, John (Jane Davis) Scholtens, and Thomas (Cindy) Scholtens, all of Illinois; nieces; nephews; and many friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Lois, Helen, and Carol; brother Don; and one niece. Visitation for Joan Elizabeth Ebacher will be from 4 to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, February 26, 2015, at Doan & Mills Funeral Home, 790 National Road West, Richmond. Liturgy of Christian Burial will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, February 27, 2015, at St. Andrew Catholic Church, 235 South 5th Street, Richmond, with Father Kevin Morris officiating. Burial will be in Indiana Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Madison, Indiana, at the convenience of the family. Memorial contributions may be made to: Hand-In-Hand Adult Day Care of Richmond, 2727 East Main Street, Richmond, IN 47374 or Parkinson's Foundation, 2800 Corporate Exchange Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43231. Condolences may be sent to the family via the guest book at www.doanmillsfuneralhome.com.

Joan Elizabeth Ebacher

February 24, 1935 - February 23, 2015