Obituary of Bette Jane Dodd

Bette Jane Dodd, 86, of Niles, passed away on July 11, 2018 at her home, surrounded by her family.

She was born on February 17, 1932 in South Bend, Indiana to Michael Lewis and Helen Josephine (Szczypiorski) Radecki. She was one of five Radecki children and grew up on the Radecki family farm in Niles, Michigan. 

She graduated from Edwardsburg High School in 1951. Her first job was as a bookkeeper for First National Bank in Niles and she later worked at The Daily Star in the Circulation Department. But, the job she enjoyed most was that of wife and mother. Bette was a long-time member of Coulter’s Chapel Church of God.

Bette married Russell Dodd on February 23, 1952. They celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary prior to Russell’s death in 2010.

She shared a close relationship with her siblings and especially enjoyed the two-day trips she made to Shipshewana with her sisters each year. Bette also loved to read, do puzzles and play board games with her close friends.

She is survived by her son, David (Bonnie) Dodd of Three Oaks; two daughters, Debra (Hank) Williams of South Bend and Diane (Tim) Claeys of Mishawaka; 10 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. 

Bette was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; two sisters, Evelyn Cripe and Pat Kissinger; brothers, Richard Radecki and Harry Radecki.

A time of visitation will be held on Friday, July 13, 2018 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Brown Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at Brown Funeral Home on Saturday, July 14, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. An interment will follow at Mission Hills Memorial Gardens.

Memorial contributions may be made in Bette’s memory to Coulter’s Chapel Church of God – Fellowship Hall, 3176 E. Detroit Road, Niles, Michigan 49120.

Memories of Bette may be shared with her family at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com.