Ethel S. Bottom, age 80 of Valparaiso passed away Monday, September 3, 2012. She was born on April 30, 1932 in Gary, Indiana to Earl R. and Mary F. (Shelton) Strain and was married December 27, 1952 to Lealon A. Bottom Jr., who preceded her in death in August of 2000. Ethel was an employee of Rees Funeral Home and an area bookkeeper for a number of years.
Survivors: 4 children, Cheryl (Ann) Luke Cowles of Bartlesville, OK; Michael Lee Bottom of Valparaiso, IN; Nancy Kay (Michael) Brennan of Rochester, IL; Karen Lynn (Thomas) Schwerbrock of Kewanee, IL; 9 grandchildren, Brandon, Sarah, Evan, Hannah, Angela, Annie, Bryce, Michaelene, Jacob, 2 sisters, Anita Johnson of The Villages, FL; Reba Ann Peksenak of King City, MO; 1 brother, William E. (Vivian) Strain of Orlando, FL; 1 sister-in-law, Barbara Strain of Colorado Springs, CO; 2 brother-in-laws, William (Diane) Bottom of Chicago, IL; Peter Krysa of Valparaiso, IN; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Lealon A. Bottom Jr., parents, Earl and Mary Strain, 2 sisters, Gail Mayo, Mary White, 1 brother, Clarence Claude Strain, 1 sister-in-law, Susan Krysa. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to the Alzheimers Association in memory of Ethel. Funeral services are Saturday at 10 a.m. at Rees Funeral Home, 5341 Central Ave., Portage with Rev. Bob Burton officiating. Burial will follow at Graceland Cemetery, Valparaiso. Visitation is Friday, September 7, 2012 from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Rees Funeral Home, Olson Chapel, Portage. Call (219) 762-3013 or visit us online at www. Reesfuneralhomes.com.