Betty Louise Dunham

Betty Louise (Thomas) Dunham, 98, of Sunny Isles Beach, FL passed away peacefully on January 30, 2024. She was born at home in Cartersburg, IN on March 18, 1925, to the late Francis Leroy Thomas and Josephine Elizabeth (Ford) Harlan. Betty grew up in Clayton, IN and was the oldest of 7 children. When her mother moved to Plainfield, IN before her senior year, she remained behind to graduate from Clayton High School, where she played clarinet in the band all 4 years. On April 10, 1943, she married the love of her life Tyint Dunham. He passed away in 1992 just before their 49th anniversary. Their 2 children, Linda Jo (Dunham) Plunkett and Richard Dunham also preceded her in death. Betty held various jobs, most notably for RCA in Indianapolis, where she built radios. In 1946, she helped build the very first TV that went down the assembly line! She eventually became a team leader. She also spent many years decorating cakes at Schwab’s Grocery in Mooresville, IN and made wedding cakes for many of her nieces and nephews. Her hobbies included crocheting, quilting, and handbells. She also traveled extensively, visiting family all over the country by using the free flight benefits from her son’s job. Her favorite destination was Sanibel Island, where she enjoyed collecting shells. She loved dogs, especially small ones, and could often be found with one on her lap. Betty retired in 2000, joining her son Richard in Jacksonville, FL. She was very active at the Mandarin Senior Center, serving as treasurer. It was not unusual for her to play 6 bingo cards at a time, favoring the ones with “O-75” in a corner! After her son passed away in 2015, she moved further south to live with her niece’s family, Carla and Maynard Mast. She kept busy doing jigsaw puzzles, word search books, and writing letters. She was particularly fond of Maynard’s cooking, especially his liver and onions. Her great-nephew Nolan affectionately called her “grandma aunt Betty.” In 2018, they took her on her last great adventure, visiting her sister Lola in Arizona and sister-in-law Mitsue in California. Betty was a member of Eastern Star and the Naomi Rebekah’s Lodge in Plainfield. In 1997, she served as the District Deputy for the Rebekah’s district 19 in Indiana. In addition to her parents, husband, and children, Betty was preceded in death by her siblings Robert Irvin Thomas, Joann (Thomas) Hoffman, Carolyn Thomas (infant), Carl David Thomas, and John Leon Thomas. She is survived by her sister Lola Sebring of Mesa, AZ along with many beloved nieces and nephews. Betty was cremated in Florida and local funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Light Memorial & Funeral Chapel, in Monrovia. Friends and Family are invited to meet at the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, in Hall, Indiana, on Saturday, July 6, 2024, where Pastor Jack Elliott will begin the Committal Service at 12:30pm and Inurnment will follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation at www.cff.org to honor the memory of her daughter Linda Jo Plunkett. To share a favorite story, send an online condolence to the family, or light a candle in her memory, please visit her tribute page at www.lightmemorial.com.

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Betty Louise Dunham

March 18, 1925 - January 30, 2024