Betty Sadler

Date of Birth

Jun 25,1921

Date of Death

Jun 15,2007

Betty Jane Sadler, age 86 of Batavia, IL, formerly of Iowa and Arkansas, passed away June 15, 2007 at Delnor Community Hospital, Geneva, IL. She was born June 25, 1921 in Ottumwa, IA, the daughter of Charles and Lora (Pumroy) Overturf. Though the middle child of five daughters, she was undeniably and the apple of her father’s eye.Although her brother was killed in a tragic accident at the age of thirteen, Betty and her sisters bondeddeeply and became the Fabulous Overturf Girls – F.O.G. These photogenic five stuck together and through the years, at family reunions, would always line up show-girl style for a flashy photo. EDUCATION Betty attended Ottumwa High School and was a member of the honor society as well as president of the library club. When she was sixteen, her best friend, Betty Lou Sadler, took her along to the annual Sadler Family Reunion. There, she would become the "apple" of a young man’seye and, in time, would become his bride. His name was James Sadler. Graduating with the class of 1939, Betty continued to correspond with James, who lived some two-hundred miles away in Red Oak. With the onset of WWII, James came to Ottumwa to work on an air station the Navy was building there. Soon a wedding was planned and they were married On June 27, 1943 at the First Christian Church in Ottumwa. That same year, James went to work for Remmington-Rand and he and Betty moved to Chicago. Before long, Betty landed a job at the Underwriters Insurance Company and they settled on the City’s north side. When their first child, Charles, arrived they moved to the South side of Chicago where James "Ed" and Phyllis (finally a girl!) were born. By then, the one room apartment had become more than crowded and in 1952, they moved to Northlake, IL. The house needed major remodeling butthat was James’ specialty. Betty’s specialty was making-do with whatever. By the time Chuck was in high school, it was time for Betty to go back to work. She started out at the Chicago Aerial Industries and later worked for Radiation Instruments Development Laboratory, Nuclear Chicago and G.D. Searle. Her capacity for multi-tasking and devotion todetail served her well as executive secretary. But Betty’s heart was about family, not a career, and in 1971 she left industry for a school district job that let her enjoy summer camping trips with her husband and children. Indeed, Betty was "mom" or"grandma" to countless children whom she "adopted" when times were tough in their homes. Her own children never knew how many others might show up for dinner or Saturday morning coffee, not to mention the holidays! In many ways, Betty and James were the Ozzie and Harriet of their community. Betty was president of the PTA, James was a Boy Scout leader and both were active in the local church. When it came to sharing the lives of others, Betty’s faith could be summed up in her Oft’ quoted admonishment to her children: "…you don’t have to like them, but you always have to love them." Surprisingly, in 1976, Betty and Jim uprooted themselves and moved to Arkansas. There, they began a new life except for one thing – church. Living in Fayetteville, AR, just blocks from the Sequoyah United Methodist Church, it became their second home. Betty went to work for Bill Clinton\’s administration in the employment security office. Meanwhile, they also became deeply involved in the Arkansas Good Sam Club. From their local chapter, the Razorback Sams Club, to thestate-wide organization, everyone knew Betty and Jim. One year, they were even crowned the first, and only, king and queen of the Samboree convention. Then in 1998, open heart surgery would change everything for Betty. Somehow, that surgery unplugged the "Energizer Bunny" a different path. Her devoted husband, James, was the consummatehusband and caregiver and saw to her every need to the day of his own death in 2003. Moving shortly afterward to Heritage Woods, Batavia, Betty could be near her daughter Phyllis and her children. Betty loved her grandchildren and great grandchildren and kept track of all of them. Her phone calls were famous -and not to be missed! Betty herself will be dearly missed, especially at the 100th anniversary of the Sadler Reunion, which will be held just weeks from now. Remembering her faith, and her love for James, family andfriends trust that the two of them, now reunited forever, will be looking down upon the family reunion this year and always. —- She is survived by three children: Charles "Chuck" (Eve) Sadler of Seminole, FL, James "Ed" (Cheral) Sadler of Elkhorn, WI and Phyllis (Ronald) Algrim of Elburn, IL; Five Grandchildren: Charles & Eve’s : Charles (Laura) Sadler of Carpentersville, IL and Cathy (David) Berndt of Geneva, IL; James "Ed" & Cheral’s: Adam (Allison) Sadler of Madison, WI Phyllis & Ron’s: Kristen Malone of Elburn, Greg (Jo) Algrim of Elburn Nine Great-Grandchildren Charles & Laura’s: Allison Sadler Cathy & David’s : Reese and Brice Berndt Kristen & Michael’s* : Paige, Devon, Parker and Drew Greg & Jo’s: Grace and Ryan Three siblings: Marge Burns of DesMoines, IA, Doris Howell of Pensacola, FL and Janet (Ken) York of Flippen, AR Many nieces and nephews and countless friends across the country. She is preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Lora Overturf, One brother, George Overturf and One sister, Louise Mitchell as well as One grandson-in-law, Michael Malone*. A memorial service to celebrate Betty’s life, will be held Saturday, July 7, 2007 at 11 am at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL. A brief visitation will precede the service from 9 am until 10:30 am. The Rev. Debbie Percell, pastor of the Waterman United MethodistChurch will officiate. Private family interment services will later be held in Ottumwa, IA. MEMORIAL A memorial has been established in Betty’s name to benefit the Sequoyah United Methodist Church and other favorite charities. Memorials checks may be made to the Betty Sadler Memorial and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, IL 60119. Tributes and memories mayalso be forwarded to the family at the same address or through herobituary at www.conleycare.com.

A memorial service to celebrate Betty’s life, will be held Saturday, July 7, 2007 at 11 am at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL. A brief visitation will precede the service from 9 am until 10:30 am.

A memorial has been established in Betty’s name to benefit the Sequoyah United Methodist Church and other favorite charities. Memorials checks may be made to the Betty Sadler Memorial and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, IL 60119. Tributes and memories mayalso be forwarded to the family at the same address or through herobituary at www.conleycare.com.

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