Samuel Nisbet

Memorial services will be at 3:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 4, at Westminster Presbyterian Church with Rev. Steve Hill officiating. Visitation with the family will follow the service in the Fellowship Hall. By request of Sam, he will be cremated with inurnment in Rose Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery, Terre Haute, IN. The family is being served by Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Home, Dan Brintlinger having been a student of Sams at Dennis School.In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to Westminster Presbyterian Church, Shriner Hospitals for Children, or to Spina Bifida Association.Mr. Nisbet was born on January 6, 1919, in Clinton, Indiana, the son of Samuel H. Nisbet, Sr. and Isabella (Gibson) Nisbet, Scottish immigrants from Lanark, Scotland. Mr. Nisbet graduated from Clinton, Indiana High School in 1937. He attended Indiana State University receiving a BS Degree in Education and Latin. He taught at Glendale Elementary School in Clinton before enlisting in the Army. He was a veteran of WWII, serving in Europe from 1943-46, when he was honorably discharged. Upon returning to the States, Sam met and married the love of his life, Gladys Huffman, on January 28, 1949 in the First Presbyterian Church of Clinton, Indiana. They will have been married 60 years on January 28th, 2009. He continued his graduate work and in 1951, he received his Masters Degree at Indiana State University in Latin. Sam also took extended classes from Indiana University, Millikin University, Eastern Illinois University and Illinois State University. Before coming to Decatur, he was an elementary school teacher in Clinton, Indiana and principal of the Vermilion County Township Schools. He came to Decatur in 1953 and taught in the Decatur Public School District #61, teaching at Dennis, Woodrow Wilson, Roosevelt and Franklin Schools until his retirement in 1983. He was a member or DEA, IEA, NEA, DARTA, and IRTA. He served at president of DEA and DARTA and was president of Macon County Federal Teachers Credit Union. He was a former secretary of Golden K Kiwanis Club before withdrawing his membership due to illness. He also volunteered at Rock Springs Macon County Conservation District and Good Samaritan Inn.Sam grew up in the First Presbyterian Church in Clinton, Indiana and was the choir director. He also sang with the Elks Club Choral group and was soloist for weddings, funerals, and Clinton High School outdoor concerts. He had a great love of music, having taken professional lessons in Clinton, and Paris, France. His arresting voice was perfect for the tenor he was. In 1955, he became a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church where he served as an Elder, Deacon, Choir Director, Youth Fellowship Director, Sunday School Superintendent, sang in the Church Sanctuary Choir and was Westminster Cub Scout Master.Sam was a 50 plus year member of the Jerusalem Lodge #99 Free and Accepted Masons, Clinton, Indiana, 50 plus year member and High Priest of the Royal Arch Vermilion Chapter #125, Clinton Commandry #48 Knights Templars, and the Masons Vermilion County Low 12 Club.Surviving are his wife of 59 years, Gladys of Decatur; daughter Nancy Nisbet Minks and husband Dennis of Decatur; son David Nisbet and wife Jan of Chicago; grandsons Joshua Minks and wife Laura of OFallon, MO, Samuel David Nisbet and William Henry Nisbet, both of Chicago; and nephew William McGill and wife Jill of Terre Haute, IN.Mr. Nisbet was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, one sister, and one nephew.The family would like to express a very special thank you to Dr. Richard Fritz, whom Sam had in sixth grade at Dennis School, his office staff for their concern, caring and compassion given at this time and in the past, Hospice, the fourth floor nurses at DMH, and staff of McKinley Court Nursing Home.Sam will be greatly missed by family and friends. "
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