George Avels Morton, 87, passed away Friday, October 20, 2023, at Witham Memorial Hospital in Lebanon, Indiana. He was born August 13, 1936 in Lebanon, the son of the late Paul Lovern and Dorothy Caroline (Avels) Morton. He grew up on a family farm north of Lebanon that raised corn, soybeans, cattle, and sheep.
Active in 4-H, George won the Junior Shearer award at the Indiana State Fair in 1954. George also graduated from Lebanon High School in 1954 where he served as class president. He attained his Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Business Management from Purdue University in 1958. After graduation, he served his country honorably in the United States Air Force until 1961. He returned to the home farm where he continued to help his father and uncle.
On March 24, 1962, George was united in marriage to Nancy M. (Duff) Morton in Lebanon. From 1974–1987, George was farm manager with Duff Farm Management managing several farms and involved in farm appraisal and financial consultation to farm operators. He served as chairman of the Indiana Agricultural Development Corporation from 1980–1989. In 1987 George was appointed by the Lt. Governor of the State of Indiana to be the Deputy Commission of Agriculture, and from 1989 – 1993, he served as the Indiana State Director of the Farmers Home Administration where he supervised the administration of loans made to farmers for operation and capital loans to individuals for low-income rural homes.
George held other directorships throughout the years including Boone County Farm Bureau, National Livestock and Meat Board, Indiana Cattlemen’s Association, and the American National Cattlemen’s Association. He was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church, Lebanon Rotary Club, and was one of the first board members of the Witham Family YMCA. George’s service to this organization was recognized by the presentation of the James L. Kittle Sr. Lifetime achievement award by the Greater Indianapolis board of directors.
Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Nancy Morton; three children, Kendra Whipkey, Kristen (Dave) Nagel, and Kevin (Christa) Morton; six grandchildren, Alex Whipkey, Evan Whipkey, Nicholas Richart, Zachary Nagel, Jacob Nagel, and Larissa Morton; sister: Linda (Thomas) Pratt; and nieces, Carla Pratt Keyes and Diane Heavner.
In addition to his parents, George was preceded in death by a son-in-law, Steven Whipkey.
Funeral services are planned for 2pm on Wednesday, October 25th at Myers Mortuary, 1502 North Lebanon Street, in Lebanon, Indiana. Visitation will be held from noon until the time of the service. Interment will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery in Lebanon.
Memorials may be directed in George’s memory to the First Presbyterian Church, 128 East Main Street, Lebanon, IN 46052 or to the Witham Family YMCA, 2791 North Lebanon Street, Lebanon, IN 46052.
Online condolences: MyersMortuary.com