Phyllis “Jean” Zerr, 90, of Shelbyville, passed away on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at Franciscan Health Indianapolis.
Jean was born on May 14, 1936 in Michigantown, the daughter of Herbert Nolan Jenkins and Martha Maxine (Evans) Hicks. On March 24, 1984, she married Frank M. Zerr, her husband of 42 years, and he survives.
In addition to Frank, Jean is survived by her son, John Richard Abston of Athens, Alabama; grandchildren, Amanda Marie Thomas and husband, Carl, of Dallas, Texas, Mitchell Allen Abston and wife, Chandra, of Shelbyville, Tara Jean Abston Daniels and husband, Shirell, of Shelbyville, Jonathon Roy Abston and wife, Ericka, of El Paso, Texas; sister, Linda Lee Yoder of Mulberry; great-grandson, Noah Cayden Thomas, Andre Dwight Thomas, Kaitlyn Grace Thomas, Wyatt Mitchell Lee Abston, Kasen Allen Michael Abston, Jessica Abston, Jordan Abston, Jennifer Abston, Jason Ryan Abston, Jacqueline Adele Abston, Trey Sean Marcellius Owens, Miesha Marcellia Owens and Jamaal LaMont Daniels; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Mitchell Allen Abston Jr.; brother, William C. Jenkins; great-grandson, Jason Carl Abston; step-brother, Michael Hicks; step-sister, Sondra Thomas; and step-father, Harry Hicks.
Jean was a member of Saint Joseph Catholic Church.
She graduated from Frankfort High School and attended the Academy of Applied Machine Accounting. From September of 1969 to March of 1979, Jean worked for the Center Township Assessor, as the Data Processing Supervisor. Jean was the First Deputy Treasurer, from September 4, 1979 to December 31, 1986, for the Shelby County Commissioners. On February 6, 1987, Jean was the treasurer of the Blue River Special Education Cooperative, until June 30, 2010.
Jean enjoyed playing Hand & Foot on Friday nights with good friends, Bob and Becky Williams, Gary and Joanne Bowen, Eddie Sleeth, and Sherry Mohr. She also enjoyed going on trips to Branson, Missouri, Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Jean loved to host big family get-togethers during the holiday season. She was very well known for her pies, especially her pecan pies.
Spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren brought Jean a lot of joy.
She was a volunteer at Major Hospital.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7 pm, Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, 819 S. Harrison St. in Shelbyville, with the rosary recited at 4:30 pm.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 am, Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 4218 E. Michigan Rd., in Shelbyville.
Interment will be at Saint Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Shelbyville.
Memorial contributions may be made to Saint Joseph Catholic Church Capital Campaign Fund, 228 E. Hendricks St., Shelbyville, IN 46176.
Online condolences may be shared with Jean’s family at www.freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com .
