Betty Jean Dunkin

Betty Dunkin, 83, passed away at the Northeast Regional Medical Center in Kirksville, MO, on Saturday, August 4, 2012.
Betty Jean (Roberts) Dunkin was born near Lucerne, MO, on August 22, 1928, the daughter of Fred and Lucy (Ward) Roberts, who preceded her in death. She graduated from Lucerne High School in 1946 and then briefly attended Chillicothe Business School in Chillicothe, MO. She worked at Summers Studio and Spence Locker before marrying Trulan Dunkin on April 12, 1948. Trulan preceded her in death on April 4, 2004.
Betty and Trulan lived and farmed in western Putnam County their entire married life. Betty cared for neighborhood children and was an active cooking leader for 4-H. She was an excellent housekeeper and cook, and loved to raise chickens. She was a typical farmer’s wife, helping run and manage the farm. Betty was a very active member of the West Liberty Baptist Church where she worked in VBS, sang in the choir, and often helped with church dinners. She and Trulan loved to travel, especially to Florida, and to see her sister in Arizona. They were good neighbors, citizens, and important members of the community.
Betty is survived by two sons, Jack Dunkin and wife, Linda, of Unionville, MO, and Gary “Doc” Dunkin and wife, Karla, of Powersville, MO. Five grandchildren also survive, Karen Dunkin, Chrissy Dunkin, Stephanie Dunkin, Lacie Jones and husband, Trent, and Reggie Dunkin. Surviving great grandchildren are Ethan and Kylie Garr, Dillon and Riley Jones, and Trigger Robbins. Betty is also survived by a sister, Rosalea Poland, and her husband, Davie, of Decatur, IL. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husband, Betty was preceded in death by a sister, Annalee Thompson, and an infant brother, Fred, Jr. Others who preceded her in death were brothers-in-law Woodrow Thompson, Leon Dunkin, and Dempsey Hessenflow, and sister-in-law, Lucille Tolle.
Funeral services for Betty Dunkin will be at 2:00 at Playle and Jones Family Funeral Home in Unionville, MO, on Tuesday, August 7, 2012. Visitation will be from 6:00 – 8:00 pm on Monday, August 6. Pastor Kevin Collins will conduct the service with musical selections “One Day at a Time,” “He Touched Me,” and “Help Somebody Today” sung by Bill and Judy Pauley. Casket bearers Reggie Dunkin, Trent Jones, Jesse White, Jason Valentine, Dennis Collins, Lennis Harbert, Ethan Garr, and Jerry Clark. Honorary casket bearers will be Nelson Michael, Harold White, and Greg Harbert. Interment will be at the West Liberty Cemetery west of Unionville, MO.
Memorials are suggested to West Liberty Cemetery or West Liberty Baptist Church and may be entrusted with Playle and Jones Family Funeral Home, 709 S. 27th St., Unionville, MO 63565