1923
Mary
2009
Mary Alberta "Bertie" Spainhower Dewitt
March 5, 1923 — November 6, 2009
Mary Alberta (Bertie) Spainhower DeWitt, beloved mother, grandmother, and friend, returned to Father in Heaven at the age of 86, on November 6, 2009, in Logan.
Bertie was born to W.E. and Edith Bender Spainhower on March 5, 1923, in the back bedroom of her grandparents’ farm home near Worthington, Indiana. She was the first of W.E. and Edith’s four children and their only daughter. W.E. was a mine electrician who worked at various sites in southern Indiana and a two-year stint in Texas, and the family became quite adept at moving.
As the only grandchild of her maternal grandparents for several years, Bertie enjoyed a childhood as the adored niece of seven young aunts and uncles. She especially loved to play dress up in lots of big, beautiful dresses, high heels, and hats.
Bertie graduated from Worthington-Jefferson High School and subsequently completed the nursing program at Methodist Hospital Nursing School, graduating as an R.N. She later completed her Bachelor’s degree at Indiana University.
She married Burrell M. Archer, also from Worthington, in 1944 in Indianapolis, Indiana. From this union came Bertie’s only son, Joe B. Archer. Bertie and Burrell were divorced in 1963.
In 1966, she married Del J. DeWitt and also acquired two step-daughters, Melanie (now deceased) and Lisa. Bertie and Del enjoyed their lives together, residing primarily in Tampa, Florida, where Bertie was employed as a public health nurse. Del departed this life in 2004.
Bertie moved to the Pioneer Valley Lodge in North Logan in 2005, and had a wonderful time acquiring many new friends and a new religion. She joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in 2006, at the age of 83.
She will be remembered as a kind and gentle person who exemplified the Savior’s love with a smile and a kind word for everyone. She gave top priority to her family, particularly her grandchildren; and she was always there when help – or just a listening ear -- was needed.
She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Joe and Kathy Archer, Petersboro; her step-daughter, Lisa Elias, Boone, North Carolina; her grandchildren, Joe (Julie) Archer, TJ (Cami) Archer, Katie (Evan) Stoker, and Zach Elias; two great-grandchildren; two brothers, Ray (Inez) Spainhower and Harold (Linda) Spainhower; and her cousin and life-long friend, Clare Keeler.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at the Allen Mortuary of North Logan at 420 East 1800 North, North Logan. Friends and family may visit from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. that morning at the same location. Interment will be at the Logan Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.allenmortuaries.net
The family would like to thank all of the caregivers who took care of Bertie for the last month, particularly Dr. Lars Bergeson, for their dedicated efforts in her behalf.
Bertie was born to W.E. and Edith Bender Spainhower on March 5, 1923, in the back bedroom of her grandparents’ farm home near Worthington, Indiana. She was the first of W.E. and Edith’s four children and their only daughter. W.E. was a mine electrician who worked at various sites in southern Indiana and a two-year stint in Texas, and the family became quite adept at moving.
As the only grandchild of her maternal grandparents for several years, Bertie enjoyed a childhood as the adored niece of seven young aunts and uncles. She especially loved to play dress up in lots of big, beautiful dresses, high heels, and hats.
Bertie graduated from Worthington-Jefferson High School and subsequently completed the nursing program at Methodist Hospital Nursing School, graduating as an R.N. She later completed her Bachelor’s degree at Indiana University.
She married Burrell M. Archer, also from Worthington, in 1944 in Indianapolis, Indiana. From this union came Bertie’s only son, Joe B. Archer. Bertie and Burrell were divorced in 1963.
In 1966, she married Del J. DeWitt and also acquired two step-daughters, Melanie (now deceased) and Lisa. Bertie and Del enjoyed their lives together, residing primarily in Tampa, Florida, where Bertie was employed as a public health nurse. Del departed this life in 2004.
Bertie moved to the Pioneer Valley Lodge in North Logan in 2005, and had a wonderful time acquiring many new friends and a new religion. She joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in 2006, at the age of 83.
She will be remembered as a kind and gentle person who exemplified the Savior’s love with a smile and a kind word for everyone. She gave top priority to her family, particularly her grandchildren; and she was always there when help – or just a listening ear -- was needed.
She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Joe and Kathy Archer, Petersboro; her step-daughter, Lisa Elias, Boone, North Carolina; her grandchildren, Joe (Julie) Archer, TJ (Cami) Archer, Katie (Evan) Stoker, and Zach Elias; two great-grandchildren; two brothers, Ray (Inez) Spainhower and Harold (Linda) Spainhower; and her cousin and life-long friend, Clare Keeler.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at the Allen Mortuary of North Logan at 420 East 1800 North, North Logan. Friends and family may visit from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. that morning at the same location. Interment will be at the Logan Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.allenmortuaries.net
The family would like to thank all of the caregivers who took care of Bertie for the last month, particularly Dr. Lars Bergeson, for their dedicated efforts in her behalf.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Mary Alberta "Bertie" Spainhower Dewitt, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Starts at 9:30 am (Mountain time)
Allen Mortuary of North Logan
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