Betty J. (Sayger) Masters

On Sunday, February 21, from 4 to 8 PM, several wonderful friends and I will be hosting a party in honor of my mother, Betty Masters. 

Mom was a fan of cool parties with good food, good beverages and better conversation. This is exactly what she wanted and the kicker is that we are holding in her house, at 2430 East Broadway,

I extend this invitation to all who knew her, either personally or through Dad or me, and might enjoy the camaraderie. There will be live lounge music, along with a buffet of her favorite party recipes and beverage pairings. It's the well-deserved memorial of her long, accomplished life and we, who have worked to put this together, hope you find an opportunity to join us.

Betty Jean Masters, 88, passed away Friday morning, January 29, at McKinney Place, Logansport.

Betty was born November 29, 1927, to Perry and Rethel Emmons Sayger.  She graduated from Logansport High School, in 1945, with a full academic scholarship to Ball State University.  Betty had worked at Viola’s Dress Shop, downtown Logansport, where she met Robert E. Masters, whose mother, Florence, owned Florence’s Millinery, adjacent to the dress shop.  The two became engaged and were married on November 1, 1947.

Lifelong residents of Logansport, Bob and Betty adopted a baby girl, Judith Ann, from The Cradle in Evanston, Illinois, and brought her home in March, 1955.  Betty stayed home to raise their daughter, while Bob joined with Clark T. Welsh and Byron Simpson to form Logansport Distributors, later LDI Manufacturing, Inc.

With Judy in grade school, Betty studied to become a real estate broker, passing her exam and joining local realtor Dale McNutt.  As Judy developed an interest in Quarter Horses, and went on to become a state champion, Betty honed her over-the-road skills driving a 25-foot motor home and hauling Judy’s mare in their two-horse trailer, throughout Indiana and the surrounding states.  She was very proud of all the accolades and awards, but probably more so of her ability to drive with the “big trucks” and back the motor home and trailer into difficult parking spaces.

In the early 1980’s, Betty was secretary and administrative assistant to Mayor Jone Wilson, and participated in the early days of the Iron Horse Festival. She had also been active in the Alpha Mu Chapter of Kappa Kappa Kappa, and was a member of American Mensa. A strong supporter of the arts, Betty was the first board president of Civic Players of Logansport, and a member of the founding board of Junior Civic Theatre. Throughout their life together, Bob and Betty traveled the world, visiting Italy, Switzerland, Germany, France, Greece and most of Europe; China, Jamaica, the Bahamas, Trinidad, and most of the U.S.

For many years following Bob’s retirement, he and Betty blissfully spent half of the year in their condo at the Beachcomber, on Golden Beach, in Venice, Florida.

Robert Masters preceded his wife in death, as did her parents, Perry and Rethel Sayger; her brother, Don Sayger; and sister-in-law, Alice (Julian) Sayger.  Daughter, Judith Ann Masters (Richard Dunkin), Logansport, survives.

Plans for a celebration of life party are in the works right now.  Details will be forthcoming by invitation and on social media. 

In lieu of flowers, Betty would love nothing more than to see support for the Cass County Animal Shelter, from which her beloved kitty, Larry, came to her; and an LHS scholarship fund to benefit students bound for Judy’s alma mater, Butler University.  Donations for the shelter can be left with Kroeger Funeral Home, taken to Judy’s GoodLife Emporium, or given directly to the shelter.  The scholarship fund will be established through the Cass County Community Foundation.  Contributions can be given to Kroeger Funeral Home, Judy’s GoodLife, or directly to the foundation.  All are greatly appreciated.

By no means mandatory, but for convenience, there will be envelopes for contributions, per Mom's wishes, to the Cass County Humane Society and the Community Foundation Scholarship fund (for a Butler-bound LHS graduate). Should you be unable to join us, but wish to contribute in Mom's memory, here are the addresses:

Cass County Humane Society, 700 Water Street, Logansport, IN 46947

Cass County Community Foundation, P.O. Box 441, 729 E. Market Street, Logansport, IN 46947; note: Masters family scholarship fund