Obituary of Betty Dirksen

Betty Lou (Gunter) Smith Dirksen, 85, of Carlinville, passed away Thursday morning March 10, 2016 at St. John's Hospital in Springfield, IL. Betty was born on April 24, 1930 to Clarence and Birda (Russell) Gunter and raised on Rainbow Springs in Dora, MO. She graduated from high school in Oakland, CA. On April 4, 1946 she married Ivan Smith in West Plains, MO. They lived in the Lake of the Ozarks for many years and then lived in Virden, IL for over 20 years, and later divorced. He passed away in February of 1986. In March of 1984 she married James G. Dirksen in Springfield, IL. James passed away in December 2014. Betty was an administrative assistant at SIU School of Medicine in Springfield, IL and later at Patients First in Tallahassee, FL where she retired. She loved working in her yard and caring for her plants. Betty loved all her family and had a special love for her dog "Sassy". Betty is survived by her three sons, Dennis (Debbie) Smith of Dora, MO, David (Joyce) Smith of Virden, IL, and Danny (Beth) Smith of Wyoming, MN; daughter, Kimberly (Russ) Hall of Carlinville, IL; step-son, James G. (Carri) Dirksen, Jr. of Madison, IN; two step-daughters, Joan (Rob) Miller of IN, and Clare (Mark) Boggess of KY; two daughters-in-law, Karla Smith and Donna Smith; 20 grandchildren; 31 great grandchildren; 3 great great grandchildren; several step grandchildren; sister, Virginia (Ed) Forrester of West Plains, MO; two sister-in-laws, Darlene Smith of Springfield, MO, and Lillian Gunter of West Plains, MO; several nieces and nephews. Betty was preceded in death by parents, Clarence and Birda Mae Gunter, husband, James G. Dirksen, Sr., sons, Larry and Gary Smith, step daughter, Barbara Bos, brothers, Brentwood and Gordon Gunter, and sister, Verna Duff Gunter. Graveside funeral services will be held on Sunday, March 13, 2016, at 1:00 pm at the Gunter Cemetery in Dora, MO, with Pastor Kevin Smith officiating. Davis-Anderson Funeral Home in Carlinvile, Il is in charge of arrangements. Memorials are suggested to the American Lung Association. Online condolences can be given at www.davisandersonfuneralhome.com.