On August 21, 2025, Jerry Leon Abbitt, 80, passed away peacefully at home after a long illness with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Zion Community Church of the Nazarene in Ellettsville, Indiana, on August 31, 2025, at 2:00 p.m.

Jerry was born at the family home on Starnes Road near Ellettsville, Indiana, the youngest child of Earl and Doris (Osborne) Abbitt.

Jerry attended school in Ellettsville, Indiana, from elementary through high school. He went on to study at Olivet Nazarene College in Bourbonnais, Illinois, and later transferred to Indiana University, where he earned both a B.A. and M.S. While completing his graduate degree, he served as an assistant instructor, and taught himself several computer languages, earning multiple Microsoft certifications.

He served in both the Indiana and Illinois National Guard and later with the Air Force Reserve at Bakalar Air Force Base in Columbus, Indiana.

Jerry’s professional career spanned over 35 years with Westinghouse/ABB, where he started in the mailroom and retired as Manager of the Information Technology Department. He also served as an adjunct instructor at Indiana Wesleyan University and Ivy Tech Community College in Bloomington. A gifted teacher, he inspired students and supported many small businesses with their computer and software needs. He later taught full-time at Ivy Tech in Terre Haute, retiring only due to illness.

A man of deep faith, Jerry was an active member of Zion Community Church of the Nazarene in Ellettsville for 43 years before moving to Iowa. He served the church in many roles, especially enjoying his time teaching the senior citizens’ Sunday school class, who, he said, “kept him on his toes.”

A devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend, Jerry is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years, Norma; sons, Shane (Tara) and Jason (Robbyn); granddaughters, Libby, Anna, and Sadie; sister, Charlotte Pannell (Bill); sister-in-law, Dixie Abbitt; aunt, Anise Osborne; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Sondra May; and two brothers, Lavonne “Buddy” Abbitt and Ronald Gary Abbitt.

“Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his faithful servants.”-Psalm 116:15

May he rest in peace and rise in glory.

Celebration of Life

Aug

31

Zion Community Church of the Nazarene

6287 W Ratliff Rd.
Bloomington, Indiana 47404

2:00 PM