Betty Ellen Dear , 95, of rural Columbia City, died peacefully in the company of family at 11:56 a.m. Sunday, July 6, 2025, at her home.

Born on December 11, 1929, in Thorncreek Township, Whitley County, Indiana, she was the third of eight daughters born to the late Jesse and Laura (Pheister) Braddock.  She completed Thorncreek Center School and graduated from Columbia City High School in 1947.

On April 17, 1948, she was united in marriage to Franklin Lawrence Dear, beginning their 66-year journey together, raising five children.  They made their first home in Columbia City, moving to Columbia Twp. in 1964. Frank died on March 15, 2015.

Recruited by Earl Gates of the renowned Gates & Gates Law Office due to her exceptional shorthand and typing skills, she worked for the firm for 33 years.  Additionally, she worked with the Whitley County court judges, the probation department, and other local attorneys when they needed assistance due to staff vacations or illness.

A member of the First Baptist Church of Columbia City, she taught Sunday School and assisted in the nursery.  The church later disbanded.  When her kids were of age, she became a Girl Scout Leader and assisted with the Boy Scouts.

Through the years, she enjoyed flower gardening and fishing with her husband.  They made many fishing trips to Minnesota and the Everglades of Florida.  Always looking for that special item or bargain, she attended the area garage sales well into her 90s.  Fond of a game of chance, she visited the area casinos whenever the opportunity arose.  In her senior years, she joined the Red Hat Strutters, dancing at the local nursing homes and other events.  She was always ready for a meal out, savoring her food, she was the last to finish.

Surviving are her children, Tony L. Dear, Karen S. Rust, Candace A. Hull, and Michael D. Dear, all of Columbia City; 11 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.

Additionally, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Brenda K. Carter; great-grandchildren, Logan Martin, Elijah Rust, and Addison Rust; and sisters, Phyllis Bowsman, Frances Western, Dean Elouise Bowman, Evelyn Egner, Sharon Rucker, Judy Slabach, and Bonnie Egner.

The funeral service is at 1 p.m. Saturday (July 12th) at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City.  Burial is beside her husband at the Oak Grove Cemetery.  Visitation is 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Memorials in Betty's honor are to the Honor Flight of Northeast Indiana.