Bethel P. Strain

89 year old, Bethel P. Strain of Wheatfield, passed away February 18, 2013.

On December 16, 1923, Bethel was born in Parke View Township, in Jasper County, Indiana to Lloyd and Gladys (Tomlinson) Spriggs. Bethel was a lifetime area resident, graduate of Wheatfield High School in 1942. She was a homemaker, school bus driver, small business owner, 4-H leader, Band Booster parent, member of the Crazy Cutups Quilt Club, and helped with the Wheatfield Food Pantry. She was a very active member of the Gifford Rebeccah Lodge. She served as an officer both locally and statewide. Bethel loved spending time with her family and hosted many gatherings at her home. She enjoyed traveling, fishing, and working the daily crossword puzzle in the paper. Bethel, or Betty, or Bet, as some knew her, will be remembered for her caring generous spirit. Someone you could count on in so many ways. A true ‘pearl’.

Bethel is survived by her children: Thomas (Janice) Strain, Elizabeth Ann (Jack) Taulman, & Janet (Barry) Carter, grandchildren: Stephanie Hazlett, Brian Taulman, Errol Strain, Valerie Sloneker, Margaret Phillips, & Matthew Carter, great-grandchildren: Brandon and Abigail Hazlett, Avery and Dylan Sloneker, Arjanti Strain and many nieces & nephews.

Bethel was preceded in death by: her husband Ralph, parents, Lloyd Spriggs and Gladys Jostes, siblings: Zura Massoth, James L. Spriggs, Ora (Dolly) Aigner, Ralph Spriggs, Charles ‘Chubb’ Spriggs, one grandchild, and one great-grandchild.

Friends are invited to visit with the family from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 21, 2013 at the Boersma Funeral Home, 90 East Grove St., Wheatfield, Indiana. Services for Bethel will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, February 22, 2013 at the Wheatfield Baptist Church with Rev. Mary van Wijk officiating. Interment will take place at Memory Gardens Cemetery, Rensselaer, Indiana.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to: Wheatfield Friends of the Library.