Published on March 3, 2026 3:57 pm
Last Updated on March 3, 2026 3:58 pm
Elizabeth Joan Ettelbrick passed away November 2, 2025, in Naperville, IL. She was 89.
Joan was born at home in Woodbury, IL on March 22, 1936, to Ben & Frona Osborne. The eldest of four siblings: Janice Schaefer, Georgia Gergen & Ben Osborne. She attended Cumberland County Schools graduating in 1954, when she was voted the Sweet 16 Queen. She attended nursing school at Indiana State University. Graduating in 1957 as an RN and worked at Effingham’s St. Anthony’s Hospital in surgery. On October 10, 1959, she married Nicholas Ettelbrick III. They were blessed with five children: Nick (Misty), Eric, Joe (Laurie) , Zack (Andi) & Elizabeth (Dave) Paschal.
In keeping with her love of nursing, Joan donated her body to science to help educate future health care workers. A mass will be said in her honor at Christ the King Catholic Church in Greenup on her birthday. There will be a graveside committal service at Greenup Cemetery (Ettelbrick section) on Friday March 20, 2026, at 10:30 am. The Barkley Funeral Chapel is assisting the family.
She raised her children then returned to nursing in 1976 working at Cumberland Nursing Center where she became the Director of Nursing. Joan also went back to St. Anthony working in surgery and sterile processing. Nursing was her passion. In 2017 Joan was recognized by the International Nurses Association as a Top Registered Nurse in Greenup, IL and her name was included in the 2017 edition of Worldwide Leaders in Healthcare. Joan was a member of Christ the King Catholic Church in Greenup where she was on the altar society and taught CCD. She served on the local health board, enjoyed the Life Center activities in Toledo and loved to attend the many local dances.
Along with their 5 children, they have 8 grandchildren: Jordan (Justin) Frane, Jacob (Natalie) Ettelbrick, Megan (Derek) Warfel, Nathan Titus, Olivia (Matthew) Todd, Audra Ettelbrick, Noah (Cortney) Paschal, and Luke Paschal; 12 great grandchildren: Will & Graham Frane; Silas & Henry Ettelbrick; Scarlett, Eva, Natalie, Taylor & Waylon Warfel; Trace & Tate Todd and Owen Paschal.
Joan was preceded in death by her husband, parents and siblings Janice and Ben.
In lieu of flowers please donate to The Cumberland Nursing and Rehabilitation Center:
300 N. Marietta St.
Greenup, IL 62428
217-923-3186
cumberland@tutera.com
We love you and will miss you, Mom.
Online condolences can be expressed at www.barkleyfuneralchapels.com