Betty May Whitenack

Betty May Lyon Whitenack, 97, passed from this earth on Thursday, September 25th, 2025 at Parkview Haven, Francesville, Indiana, where she had been a resident for three years. Betty was born on August 28, 1928, just outside Patriot, Switzerland County, Indiana, to Worth and Edith (Bunger) Lyon. She was a hardworking, devoted daughter and sister, raised on a tobacco farm during a time when want and need were distinctively separate. A good student, she was valedictorian of her class but yearned for more than she knew. With a small loan from her grandparents and a fortuitous connection, she found herself traveling across the state to Danville, Indiana, to attend Canterbury College. On the first day of class, a handsome post-war senior, John R Whitenack, spotted her amongst the freshmen and declared to his best friend that he was going to marry that girl. After a year of rejection, she finally said yes to a date, and they were married two months later on August 2, 1947. Two weeks later, on August 17th, they would move into a brand new four room bungalow of Laurel Street in North Judson, Indiana, where John had accepted a teaching position. Their only furniture was her husband's single bed, but she had plumbing, a full, luxurious bathroom and a wonderful, tiny kitchen where s h e would learn to cook to her new husband's tastes. They had no dining set so she set a proper table on her ironing board as she would for every meal, three times daily, for her family, regardless of sports schedules, band practice or other activities, for the entirety of her time in that house. She would live on Laurel Street for the next seventy-five years, growing and extending their home even as they grew their family of five children, Jane, Bob, Julie, Dave and Dick, who proved to be prolific, gifting their parents with fourteen grandchildren and thirty-four great grandchildren. Betty w a s a devoted wife and parent . . . a blessed member of the North Judson community, and an active member of her church, always living her faith. She loved to read, loved to research any topic that piqued her interest, whether it was picking up an encyclopedia or taking a walk to the library. Always studying, she became as proficient in English as her husband, being his favorite substitute in his absence. She was an artist, a piano player who gave free lessons to kids who could not afford to play otherwise. She loved to write . . . and was published. She loved deep conversations and remained sharp enough to discuss any subject from faith to politics to the very end ... never missing the privilege of casting her vote or sharing her devout Christian faith. Betty was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her two granddaughters, Kathy Whitenack and Jenny Clemons Jones and her two brothers, Lowell (Junior) Lyon and Howard Lyon. She is survived by her children, LeRoy and Jane Clemons, John Robert (Bob) and Donna Whitenack, Gary and Julie Griffin, David and Sandy Whitenack, Richard and Gail Whitenack, twelve grandchildren, thirty-four great-grandchildren and ample nieces and nephews who loved her dearly, often calling her the "Family Treasure". She loved them all with endless capacity. Visitation will be held from 2-3 PM CT Sunday, September 28, 2025 at the O'Donnell Funeral Home, Inc. with Funeral Services at 3 PM CT at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Highland Cemetery, North Judson, Indiana. Donations may be made in Betty's name to the Gary Sinise Foundation, dedicated to the support of our nation's heroes. https://www.garysinisefoundation.org

Betty May Whitenack

August 28, 1928 - September 25, 2025