BETTERTON, Johnnie L. (1940-2020)

BETTERTON

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 7/4/2022 at 15:33:32

Johnnie Lee Betterton
(July 3, 1940 - December 11, 2020)

Johnnie Lee Betterton, 80, of Indianola, IA, died Friday, December 11, 2020. Johnnie was born the son of Herbert Lee Betterton and Vera Lovada Pearson, on July 3, 1940 in Knoxville, IA. He graduated from Knoxville High School.
Johnnie and the love of his life Kathy Palmer were married July 1, 1962. He worked at Brown Shoe Fit Company in Chariton at the time they were married and soon began working at Hy-Vee in Indianola. He joined the Army National Guard in Chariton, Basic Training and extended training at Fort Sill, OK. He completed Officers Training through Camp Dodge, and more training over the years at other military bases in the USA, retiring after 20 years with the rank of Captain. From Hy-Vee he went to Des Moines Dressed Beef and was completing training to work on the railroad when injury made it impossible to work there any longer. He then went to work at M & W Farm Service. Then he went to work at Swift & Company which changed to Montfort where he became the Irgonomics (sp) specialist, researching equipment and teaching the employees safer and better ways to do their jobs. When Montfort closed he became a cross country driver for a number of companies, the last being MCA where he had a dedicated route from Des Moines to Nebraska carrying mail and a final route to Chicago and back. His final run to Chicago, he suffered a stroke and could no longer work. (He had intended to work to age 70, at least, but finished at almost 66). He put his whole self in each job and mostly enjoyed all the things he did. He also worked second jobs – including working with kids at Indianola Skate and Games, teaching Karate, coaching softball through the Indianola Recreation Dept., and janitor at the Jr. High in Indianola. He had to be busy all the time. He really loved working with kids.
John is survived by his wife, Kathy of 58 and a half years; daughters, Rene’ (Chuck) Sapp and Pennie (Rich) Darr; son, Jon Christopher; grandchildren, Nicole Huson, Hannah Darr, Bethany Darr and Hailey Darr; sisters, Wanda Brewer, Joy (Barney) Vickroy and Linda (Leland) Shelton; many nieces and nephews, a host of friends, and his golfing buddies. He will be dearly missed.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held 3 p.m., Saturday, July 3, 2021, his birthday, at Trinity United Presbyterian Church in Indianola. Visitation will be held one hour prior from 2 to 3 p.m. at the church. Memorials may be given to Indianola Community Youth Foundation. This memorial is provided by Overton Funeral Home, 501 West Ashland Ave., Indianola, Iowa, http://www.overtonfuneral.com/