Obituaries

August 15, 1933 to January 10, 2024

WINAMAC - Betty Louise Podell, 90, of Winamac, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 10, at Pulaski Health Care Center in Winamac.

She was born Aug. 15, 1933 in Denham, to Kenneth and Rosanna [Rater] Kasten. She graduated from North Judson High School in 1951. On Oct. 24, 1951, she married Orvel W. Podell Jr. at the Methodist Church in North Judson. He passed away Nov. 30, 2018.

Betty Podell

She is survived by:
Rhonda (Jim) Pierrou, Winamac, Daughter
Karen Button, Winamac, Daughter
Laura (Keith) Heigl, Winamac, Daughter
12 Grandchildren: Angela (Charles) Bolen, Brian (Julie) Pierrou, Cody (Hannah) Pierrou, Thomas Button, Kayleen Button, Lizzie Button, David (Melissa) Heigl, Jeff (Cindy) Heigl, Joe (Amber) Heigl, Katy (Jake) Swider, Matt Heigl and Sam Heigl.
21 Great-Grandchildren
Vera Ward, Valparaiso, Sister
John (Joyce) Cooper Jr. Hebron, Brother
Dan (Deb) Cooper, Greenup, IL, Brother
Many Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Kenneth Kasten, Father
Rosanna [Rater] Kasten Cooper, Mother
John M. Cooper Sr., Step-Father
John Melvin Button, Infant Grandson
Leland T. Howard-Button, Infant Great-Grandson
Thomas Kasten, Brother
William Ward, Brother-in-law

Mrs. Podell was a retired farmer and substitute postmaster in Denham. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Denham and Gideon’s International. She was also a member of the Pulaski County Democrats and Pulaski County Farm Bureau. She served on the Pulaski County Election Board and as the Jefferson Township Trustee for many years. She enjoyed the outdoors, especially farming and gardening. Most of all, she loved being a wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m., Monday, Jan. 15, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Tuesday, Jan. 16, at the funeral home with her grandsons Jeff Heigl and Cody Pierrou officiating. Burial will be at Denham Cemetery in Denham.