“Our mission is to make White County a better place to live through charitable support of initiatives that advance healthcare and education.”

Established in 2019 through the generous vision of Jane Absher and her late son Ron, the mission of the Absher Charitable Foundation is to “make White County a better place to live through charitable support of initiatives that advance healthcare and education.”

Mrs. Absher and her husband, Henry, were both raised in southeast White County. Henry graduated from high school in Carmi in 1936, and Jane was not able to attend high school as school busses did not serve her rural area.  Following high school, Mr. Absher lived in Detroit for a short time where he learned to perform automotive body work. Jane began working as a nanny for a Carmi family after she completed eighth grade.

Despite their humble beginnings, the couple worked hard and took calculated risks in order to achieve success. Early in their adult lives, they launched businesses in both the auto sales and oil industries. The pair continually worked diligently while pondering what they could do next to grow in their success. For many years, Jane ran the car business while Henry managed the oil operations. As soon as their son Ron was old enough to work in the family’s businesses, Mr. and Mrs. Absher involved Ron in their ventures. Ron not only learned about the automotive and oil industries from his parents, but he also exhibited their same work ethic throughout his career.

Through the hard work and determination of Henry, Jane, and Ron Absher, great success was achieved. Because of their earned success combined with their philanthropic nature, the Absher Charitable Foundation will be the family’s legacy and will benefit the people of White County for generations to come. 

Jane Absher

Henry Absher (1918 - 2001)

“Our mission is to make White County a better place to live through charitable support of initiatives that advance healthcare and education.”

Established in 2019 through the generous vision of Jane Absher and her late son Ron, the mission of the Absher Charitable Foundation is to “make White County a better place to live through charitable support of initiatives that advance healthcare and education.”

Mrs. Absher and her husband, Henry, were both raised in southeast White County. Henry graduated from high school in Carmi in 1936, and Jane was not able to attend high school as school busses did not serve her rural area.  Following high school, Mr. Absher lived in Detroit for a short time where he learned to perform automotive body work. Jane began working as a nanny for a Carmi family after she completed eighth grade.

Despite their humble beginnings, the couple worked hard and took calculated risks in order to achieve success. Early in their adult lives, they launched businesses in both the auto sales and oil industries. The pair continually worked diligently while pondering what they could do next to grow in their success. For many years, Jane ran the car business while Henry managed the oil operations. As soon as their son Ron was old enough to work in the family’s businesses, Mr. and Mrs. Absher involved Ron in their ventures. Ron not only learned about the automotive and oil industries from his parents, but he also exhibited their same work ethic throughout his career.

Through the hard work and determination of Henry, Jane, and Ron Absher, great success was achieved. Because of their earned success combined with their philanthropic nature, the Absher Charitable Foundation will be the family’s legacy and will benefit the people of White County for generations to come. 

Ron Absher (1941-2019)