Betty Jane (McDuffy) Dickinson Hedinger

Betty Jane Dickinson Hedinger, age 93, of Brazil, Indiana, passed away at 11:05 P.M. on Friday, January 28, 2022, at Cloverleaf Healthcare in Knightsville, Indiana.  She was born on August 28, 1928, in Mulberry Grove, Illinois, the daughter of Marshall and Blanche (Herrin) McDuffy.  She married James R. “Jim” Dickinson on May 15, 1948, in Centralia, Illinois, and he preceded her in death on Tuesday, September 24, 1985.  She then married Melvin Joseph Hedinger on December 31, 1989, at her son’s home in Hoffman, Illinois, and he preceded her in death on Thursday, February 5, 2015.

Mrs. Hedinger is survived by her loving family; sons, Cary Dickinson and wife Sharon of Hoffman, Illinois, and Randy Dickinson and wife Donna of Brazil, Indiana; stepdaughters, Catherine Boling and husband Terry of Elizabethtown, Kentucky, and Melinda Richards and husband Lon of Danville, Indiana; nine grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; sister, Blanche Marlow of Woodlawn, Illinois; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

In addition to her loving husbands, Mrs. Hedinger was preceded in death by her parents, Marshall McDuffy and Blanche McDuffy; baby grandson, Joseph Michael Dickinson; stepsons, Gary Hedinger and Steve Hedinger; brothers, Marshall McDuffy and Robert McDuffy; and sisters, Delores Wells, Gloria Harvey, Dorothy Pigg, Helen Nimmo, and Ailene Hammond.

Mrs. Hedinger was a former member of the First United Presbyterian Church in Centralia, Illinois.  She was an avid collector of Angels.  Dancing was her Number 1 thing to do in life, as she loved being out dancing on Saturday nights.  The love of music caused her to dance wherever she was, she would dance in the aisles of the grocery store, or she would dance while she was in her wheelchair.  Mrs. Hedinger was known to speak her peace.  She didn’t speak about you behind your back, as she spoke what was on her mind right to your face.  She cherished the time she spent with her family, especially her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Hedinger retired in 1988 as a line worker from Littelfuse in Centralia, Illinois, after many years of service.  Earlier in life, she was a line production worker for Hollywood Candy Company in Centralia, Illinois, for many years.  She lived in Morrisville, Indiana, Martinsville, Indiana and Indianapolis, Indiana, since her marriage to her husband Melvin in 1989, and previously lived in Centralia,  Illinois, with her husband Jim for many years.

A Private Family Celebration of Life Services for Mrs. Betty Jane Dickinson Hedinger will be held at Moran Queen-Boggs Funeral Home in Centralia, Illinois, with Mr. Rodney Marlow officiating.  There will be no public visitation.  Private Family Interment will follow in Hillcrest Memorial Park near Centralia, Illinois.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Hedinger’s honor to the Alzheimer’s Association and will be received by the Moran Queen-Boggs Funeral Home at 134 South Elm Street in Centralia, Illinois.  Please view the online obituary, send condolences or share memories with Mrs. Hedinger’s family at www.moranfuneralhome.net.

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