Lee Justus Everetts, 75, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and brother unexpectedly passed on February 25. He was born July 31, 1945 to Hal and Betty Everetts who preceded him in death. He is survived by his wonderful and devoted wife Linda Darlene (Nichols) whom he married on June 21, 1964. They raised and nurtured two children. Son Todd and a daughter Tara. He had been a Rural Letter Carrier for 40 years with the USPS in Butler.
Lee was drafted into the United States Army in 1967 as a radio and teletype operator getting sent to the Fulda Gap with an armored unit in anticipation of the impending Soviet invasion. Lee and Linda traveled extensively throughout Europe at that time. He was honorably discharged in 1968.
Lee was very active in his church, New Hope, in Waterloo. He donated his time, talent and treasure to those in need and furthering His kingdom. Lee had also been very active in prison ministry riding his Harley Davidson around the Midwest, boldly spreading the Gospel, including those in Super Max facilities and death row.
His most passionate times were spent outdoors for years holding a fishing rod or a variety of hunting gear in his hands. His love of fishing found him single handedly catching 1,200 bluegill in his first year of retirement, he backed off to 1,000 his second year. He loved to take friends and family with him, which he did whenever the weather allowed. Lee also loved riding his motorcycle. He enjoyed traveling with his family, including 29 States on his motorcycle. He covered thousands of miles on mountain tops, the shores of oceans and lush forests.
Most of all, Lee loved his family and never missed a chance to just sit and spend time with his grandchildren, looking for any excuse to see them. He loved taking them on tractor rides, telling stories, going to apple orchards, and excelled at making his family laugh. He gave of himself selflessly and needed his family to know they were dearly loved. He also gave the gift of sight as an organ donor.
Lee is survived by his beloved wife Linda Everetts of Butler; two children and their spouses, Todd and Bonnie Everetts of Auburn and Tara and Eric Lerew of Fort Wayne; three grandchildren, Mei-Lin (Sethe) Smith of Fort Wayne, Amber Everetts of Auburn and Lincoln Everetts of Fort Wayne; two great grandchildren, Lily Smith and Will Smith of Fort Wayne; three brothers, Jack Everetts of Dublin, Ohio, Marc Everetts of Bluffton and Stan Everetts of Waterloo; and a sister, Barbara Rinard of Brooklyn, Michigan.
There will be a private family service on Wednesday at Feller and Clark Funeral Home, 1860 Center St., Auburn, with Pastor Eric Lerew and Pastor Phil Ferguson officiating. The service will be streamed at 11 a.m. Wednesday on Lee’s Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/lee.everetts.1.
Private family committal service will take place at Eddy Cemetery in Hamilton with military honors being conducted by the United States Army and American Legion Post 202 of Butler.
Visitation will be from 2 – 4 and 5 – 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 2, 2021 at the funeral home.
Memorials may be directed to Warm a Heart, P.O. Box 246, Waterloo, Indiana 46793