Bertha Mae (Evaline) Johnson

Georgetown, IN, Bertha Zurschmiede, 102, survivor of two Pandemics, passed away peacefully at her home at the Villas of Guerin Woods. Daughter of the late Ora Harriet and Robert Evaline of Palmyra, IN, she was born in Depauw, IN, on August 30th, 1918.

Near her home, Bertha attended Brush College Grade School, Depauw High School for two years, and completed her GED at age 59 to attend Ivy Tech for another six months. Throughout her lifetime in addition to raising four children, which she describes as her greatest achievement, she worked at Goodyear Engineering (Powder Plant) in Charlestown, IN, and was a seamstress at Kentucky Loom in Louisville, KY and H.A. Seinschiemer’s Company in New Albany, IN.  She also worked part-time at the Fair Store and White House department stores in New Albany, Bond’s Alterations in Jeffersonville, IN, and was Head of Toy Department at Grant’s 10 Cent Store in New Albany, IN. She was a member of St. Marks United Church of Christ in New Albany, IN, Eastern Star, Morgan Township and Fredericksburg Homemaker’s clubs, and was a longtime member of the Ladies VFW Auxiliary. For many years while in her Florida home Bertha passionately collected, preserved, and created crafts with numerous types of seashells which to this day, adorn many homes. She became an avid genealogist later and compiled several family history books which are a worthy contribution to the various families.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husbands, Robert U. Zurschmiede and Leroy Thomas Johnson; daughter, Shirley Rae Perry; Son-in-law, Gary Alan Perry; Daughter-in-law, Anita Rainbolt Zurschmiede; Grandson, Thomas Eric Perry; Sisters, Lucille (Bud) McCutcheon, Mary Helen Evaline, Lottie Agnes Ayres, and Margaret Ann (Merrill) Hoffman; Brothers, Clyde (Clara) Evaline, Chester (Blanche) Evaline, Marvin (Martha) Evaline, Wilbur (Hazel) Evaline, and Bruce (Dorothy) Evaline.

Bertha is survived by her children: William Robert (Evelyn) Zurschmiede of New Albany, In and San Antonio, FL, Marvin Edward (Elizabeth) Zurschmiede of El Paso, TX, and Lorna Sue (Richard) Harold of Silver Spring, MD; five grandchildren, Kevin (Beverly) Zurschmiede, Kelly (Brian) Brown of New Albany, IN, Matthew (Louise) Zurschmiede of Windsor, CA, Kristine (Scott) Perry of Saratoga Springs, NY, Mark (Jeanette) Zurschmiede of El Paso, TX; nine great grandchildren, Joshua Perry, Dylan Perry, Ashley Brown, Allison Brown, Julia Brown, Kimberly Perry, Brooklyn (Carl) Sommer, Treasure Anne Perry, and Cameryn Zurschmiede, and two great-great grandchildren, Liliana Dodd, and Magnolia Sommer.

Funeral services will be 12p.m. Friday, May 28th, 2021 at Love Funeral Home in Palmyra, IN. Visitation will be Thursday, May 27th from 4p.m. to 8p.m. and again on Friday May 28, 2021 from 10a.m. until time of service at Love Funeral Home. Interment will be at Palmyra Cemetery in Palmyra, IN.

Bertha’s framed picture collection will be at the funeral home during visitation and available to keep by anyone who chooses.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial gifts to Palmyra Cemetery, Palmyra, IN 47164, Guerin Woods, 8037 Unruh Dr., Georgetown, IN 47122, or Hosparus Health of So. Indiana, 502 Hausfeldt Lane, New Albany, IN 47150 (hosprarushealth.org/donate.)

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