Ethel M. "Shorty" Province

Ethel M. “Shorty” Province, 101 of Mt. Summit passed away peacefully on Monday, April 22, 2024 in her home. She was born on February 6, 1923 in the home of her parents, Charles Leonard and Maude (Williams) Waters.

Ethel grew up on the Waters/Williams farm with her four brothers and three cousins who were just across the drive. Her constant playmate was her cousin, Mary Alice Williams. They “camped out” in an old army tent, had goat carts (the precursors to “go carts”) and occasionally would ride bareback on the draft horses, Nip and Pearl. However, being the only girl in her family, she had household chores and even milked the cows.

She graduated in 1941 from Mt. Summit High School. Having already married David D. Province in February of that year, they immediately set up housekeeping. Ethel stayed at home raising their four children. She began working outside of the home, becoming office and parts manager for Castle Ford Tractor until its closing.

Ethel had become a pen pal with an English girl in 8^th grade, Joan Haslam and the correspondence continued through World War II and beyond. Finally, on an Eastern Star tour in 1977, she met Joan and her daughter, Sally, in England at Paddington Station. Ethel also traveled to Mexico, Hawaii and Switzerland. She sewed clothes for her young daughters, moved on to crocheting, cross stitch and later, in her 90’s, to making knitted toboggan hats to donate. She was a member of the Eastern Star.

She is survived by her 2 sons, David M. (Donna) Province and Steven J. (Joan) Province; 2 daughters, Diana L. Veritas and Susan R. Phoenix; brother, John (Ruth) Waters; 10 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; 7 great-great grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, David D. Province; brothers and sisters in law, Clarence (Adelene) Waters, George (Lorene and Rita) Waters and Ralph Waters; three great grandchildren, Joshua Hudson, Nickolas Bostel and Jonathan Lawler and many cousins.

The family would like to thank Henry County Hospice and especially Beth Bennett for their care and compassion shown to both of their parents. Ethel had volunteered with hospice after their care of her husband until his passing in 2000.

Services will be held on Saturday, April 27, 2024 at 10:30 am at Mt. Summit Christian Church with Pastor Justin Schwartz officiating.  Burial will follow at Mt. Summit Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Friday, April 27 from 5:00 to 8:00 pm at the Hinsey-Brown Funeral Service in New Castle. In lieu of flowers, you may make memorial contributions to Mt. Summit Christian Church, 508 S. Walnut Street, Mt. Summit, Indiana 47361.

 You may express condolences or share a memory of Ethel at www.hinsey-brown.com