Lola F. Van Winkle Potters

LIBERTY, Ind. – Lola F. Van Winkle Potters, age 82, of Liberty, Indiana, died Thursday, August 17, 2017, at Arbor Trace Exceptional Senior Living. Lola was born the youngest into a large family on February 21, 1935, in Berea, Kentucky, to Nelson P. and Ella Mae See Van Winkle. Lola’s childhood was in rural Kentucky and her young adult life in Richmond, Indiana, living close to family and friends. Married on April 12, 1952, to Cecil H. Potters, Lola became a lifelong, country homemaker; loving wife of 63 years; and doting mother in her rural home in Union County. She led a busy life raising three sons, working full and part-time (STACO, Reid Hospital, Richmond Baking in Richmond, and Sycamore Springs Nursing in Liberty), growing gardens, enjoying her humming birds, and preparing meals of fresh game and fish provided by her husband and sons. She was surrounded by boys’ clutter, noise, juvenile pranks, baseball uniforms, and later a driveway full of cars. She was a familiar face at parent/teacher meetings, school events at Kitchel and Liberty, Little League, Babe Ruth, and high school baseball, supporting her sons. She was a common fixture in Liberty doing her grocery shopping at Ross’s, Cohen Department Store, Cregear’s Five and Dime, depositing her Christmas Club at Union County Bank, and treats at J’s when money and time allowed. She loved Christmas time, the decorations, chocolate covered cherries, and a house full of family. As was her nature, Lola always put her family first and her needs last. She enjoyed listening to her husband’s guitar playing and singing (known locally with his siblings as the Potters Brothers’ Band), but especially when he did inspirational music in church and area nursing homes. His recorded music has been a daily comfort for her since his passing two years ago. Lola enjoyed her life as a homemaker, dabbled in crocheting and sewing, and looked forward to annual gatherings of the Van Winkle family reunions at siblings’ homes and Glen Miller Park. She liked to read, do word search, and passionately followed IU basketball, Cincinnati Reds, the Bengals, RFD TV, Billy Graham, and whatever gossip was coming from her sisters and cousins. Lola cherished the visits from family and friends over the past couple years as her health declined. Survivors include her sons, Curtis Potters of Liberty and Cecil D. (Melissa) and Donald R. (Jill) Potters, both of Richmond; sisters, Verna (Rufus) Saylor of Greenwood, Indiana, and Josephine (Tony) Seaborn of Beavercreek, Ohio; brother, Harold (Marsha) Van Winkle of Richmond; four grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; tons of nieces, nephews, cousins; and many friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Cecil H. Potters; father, Nelson P. Van Winkle ; mother and step-father, Ella Mae and John C. Amyx; sisters, Vola Neeley and Dena Ross; and brothers, John Van Winkle, Charles “Bud” Van Winkle, and David Van Winkle. Visitation for Lola F. Potters will be from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Monday, August 21, 2017, at Doan & Mills Funeral Home, 790 National Road West, Richmond. Funeral service will follow at 3:00 p.m. Monday, August 21, 2017, at Doan & Mills Funeral Home with Pastor Curt Nies officiating. Private burial will be in Richland Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to: Calvary Baptist Church, P.O. Box 1322, Richmond, IN 47375. Condolences may be sent to the family via the guest book at www.doanmillsfuneralhome.com.

Lola F. Van Winkle Potters

February 21, 1935 - August 17, 2017