Retta Mae Zerth

Retta Mae (Hines) Zerth, 91, Monticello, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 12, at
9:55 p.m. at the White Oak Health Campus. She was a wonderful mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. A devoted wife to the late Robert Zerth.

Retta was born in White County, Indiana, on June 14, 1932, to Thomas and Julia
(Carlson) Hines. She spent her entire life living in White County. Retta went to Buffalo
High School and graduated in 1950. She married Robert Zerth on December 5, 1951,
in Burnettsville, Indiana. Retta was a homemaker, worked at the Monticello Hospital
Emergency Room and Monticello Healthcare Nursing Home as a Qualified Medical Assistant.

Retta’s greatest passion and love was for her family. Retta was a great cook, incredible
pie maker, enjoyed organizing family gatherings and filling dinner and dessert plates.
She kept her seven children active in piano lessons, 4-H, band, sports and church
activities and family functions. Retta always made birthdays, holidays, and Christmases special.

Retta had a strong faith and was an active member at the Sitka Baptist Church and First
Baptist Church of Monticello. Retta served as the local association President for the
American Baptist Women’s Ministries for several years. Some of Retta’s other interests
included reading, gardening, politics and caring for others.

She is survived by her children, Linda (Dennis) Thompson, Crown Point, Lugene (Bob
Richards) McKee, Noblesville, Deborah Zerth, Carmel, Janice (Rick) Carlton, Fishers,
Marianne (Steve) Herriford, Indianapolis, and Christi (Brian) Perry, Chalmers and
daughter-in-law, Donna Zerth; her grandchildren: Jennifer (Sam) Butterworth,
Bartlesville, Oklahoma, Jason (Kim) Thompson, Crown Point, Erin (Shawn) Ennis,
Frisco, Texas, Kristin (Drew) Hubrig, San Anselmo, California, Ryan (Kaitlin) McKee,
Noblesville, Sarah McKee (Chris Topor), Georgetown, Colorado, Brooke Zerth,
Monticello, Shelbi (Jarret) Proctor, Conrad Iowa, Haley Perry, Indianapolis and Kylie
Zerth, Carmel; her great grandchildren, Joe Butterworth, Luke, Isaac & Jude
Thompson, Jeremiah & Ezekiel Ennis, Grant & Retta Hubrig and Owen & Olivia McKee.
She is also survived by her siblings, Glen Hines, Judy Roe, Donna Dillenburg.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Robert Zerth; son, Jerry Zerth;
son-in-law, Steve McKee and siblings, Wilma Latta, Gene Hines, Bob Hines, Herb Hines,
Frank Hines and Dave Hines.

Visitation will be Wednesday, May 15, 2024 from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Springer-Voorhis-Draper Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be Thursday, May 16, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Ian McMillian officiating at Springer-Voorhis-Draper Funeral Home.

Burial will follow at Hughes Cemetery near Buffalo.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the First Baptist Church of Monticello or to the White County Food Pantry with envelopes available at the funeral home.

Friends and family are encouraged to share a photo, a memory, or messages of condolence at www.springervoorhisdraper.com