Betty L. Powell

Betty L. Powell, age 91, of Celina, passed away at her home on Tuesday, November 15, 2022.   

She was born February 18, 1931, in Mercer County, to Orville L. & Leona A. (Hatfield) Highley.  On February 10, 1952, Betty married Jerry W. Powell, and this year marked their 70th Anniversary.  

Jerry survives, along with their four children: Thomas L. (Brenda) Powell of Celina, Linda S. (Richard K.) Story of St. Paris, Rhonda E. (Paul Agnello) Powell of Columbus, and Doris A. (Gerald A.) Metz of Maumee.   Also surviving is a brother, James (Georgia) Highley of Celina, a brother-in-law, Bill Powell of Portland, Indiana, and a sister-in-law, Lois Jean Powell of Rockford.   

Betty leaves behind 10 grandchildren, Melanie (Todd) Runkle of Wooster, Brian (Stacy) Powell and Cynthia (Rodd) Voisard, of Coldwater, Melissa Powell of Celina, Sarah (Dyrs) Owens of Elkhart, Indiana, Rachel (Thomas) Rogan of Marysville, Sydney (Chad Spisz) Agnello, Kyle (Rachel) Metz, and Katie (Nicholas) Butsko, all of Columbus, and Kurt Metz of Broomfield, Colorado; 10 great-grandchildren, plus one on the way; and many nieces and nephews.   

Preceding Betty in death were her parents, a brother, Robert Highley and sister-in-law, Patricia Highley.   

A 1949 graduate of Celina High School, Betty was a homemaker, and worked alongside her husband on the family farm for over 50 years.  Betty was also the bookkeeper for the farm business and participated in the Farm Bureau Council.

Betty was a longtime member of the Wabash Church until it closed in 2008.  At the Wabash Church, she served as a Sunday School Teacher, Bible School Teacher, and Junior Superintendent.  She was also active in the Women's Fellowship at the Wabash Church.  In recent years, Betty and Jerry attended the Celina Church of the Nazarene.     

An avid gardener, Betty enjoyed growing vegetables and flowers.  She planted many gladiolus bulbs, and dug them every fall to store and replant in the spring.  Her specialty crop was tomatoes, which she grew by the hundreds and canned for future use.     

Betty enjoyed hosting family gatherings, and always put her family ahead of herself.  Other favorite pastimes were sewing, completing jigsaw puzzles, reading, and traveling. 

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, November 19, at the Celina Church of the Nazarene, with Pastor Chris Riffle, officiating.  Burial will follow at Swamp College Cemetery, Celina.   

Calling Hours will be held from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, November 18, at W.H. Dick & Sons-Hellwarth Funeral Home in Celina, and an hour prior to time of Services on Saturday, at the Nazarene Church.   

Memorial Contributions may be made to the Celina Church of the Nazarene.

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