Rebecca Leah Brothers Null was born on a hot summer day on July 20, 1943, at the original Putnam County Hospital, where her uncle, Dr. Thomas A. Sigler was the first hospital board president.
Rebecca passed away at University Hospital in Indianapolis after a brief battle with gallbladder cancer on January 22, 2024, at the age of 80.
Rebecca is the only child of James & Mabel (Monnett) Brothers. James was a farmer and a feed buyer for Indiana Farm Bureau Co-Op. Rebecca is the 5th generation to live in Putnam County and she is the progeny of Andrew Sigler who is among 12 different families that were granted land in Putnam County in 1816. Rebecca’s family background is deeply rooted in farming, raising mules and circus performers. By the age of 4 Rebecca had ridden mules, horses and elephants while also having a chimpanzee as a friend. Rebecca was also a member of the Washburn Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution connected by her 5th great-grandfather, Private Jacob Clearwater of North Carolina.
Rebecca attended Attica High School and later transferred to Greencastle High School where she was a member of the modern dance team. She graduated from Greencastle High School in 1963. Rebecca then attended Herron School of Art and graduated with a Bachelor of Art History in 1983.
Rebecca was a both passionate and a gifted dancer. She began ballet lessons when she was four years old and continued her love of ballet throughout her 20s. She had the honor to take dance classes at Jacob’s Pillow Dance School in Becket, Massachusetts. She also had the opportunity to dance with the New York Ballet.
Rebecca met her future husband Ira Franklin Null at Attica High School. Frank was crazy about Rebecca from the moment he laid eyes on her. They got married in 1959 and together they had one son together: John Edward Null. Frank and Rebecca were married for 64 years.
Rebecca was an avid animal lover; she would love to sit on her porch and watch the birds, squirrels, and the neighborhood cats. She rescued many cats throughout her life, and she dedicated her life to giving all her cats the best life possible. She loved to travel around the country and see the different type of animals that the United States had to offer.
As a member of the Heritage Preservation Society, Frank, Rebecca, and their son John Null, purchased the Charles Leuteke Home (built in 1893); known as the Lindenhurst. Frank and Rebecca have been restoring the home along with the Playhouse, which was built in 1876, roughly 20 years prior to the completion of the Lindenhurst home on Locust Street. Rebecca was a proud member of the Society of Indiana Pioneers.
Rebecca is preceded in death by Ira Franklin Null (husband), James Brothers (father), Mabel Monnett Brothers (mother) and Marvel Sutherlin Brothers (stepmother).
Rebecca is survived by her son John Edward Null & his wife Julie Anne McAllen Null, two granddaughters Kathleen Anne Null Bernauer & her husband Nicholas Alan Bernauer and Alana Marie Null of Indianapolis, and her three beloved Great Grand-dogs Rory, Finnley & Meeko. As well as her cousins Sara Smith of Greencastle and Sue Anne Stoner Moreland of Avon and her childhood friend Sondra Sines Dubbs of Lafayette.
Services will be held 1:00 p.m. Saturday, February 3rd at Bittles and Hurt Funeral Home.
Burial will follow in Forest Hill Cemetery.
Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. until time of service on Saturday.
In lieu of flowers and to honor Rebecca’s love for animals, the family ask that you donate to the Humane Society of Putnam County.
