Betty R. LeCount, a resident of Warsaw, passed away quietly just after 10 p.m. on Tuesday, December 14, 2021 in Warsaw’s Kosciusko Community Hospital. Born in Berea, Kentucky on December 16, 1937, Betty was the daughter of Gilmer Wilson and Dixie (Lewis) Wilson. She spent her formative years there and later attended the University of Kentucky with a focus on accounting.
Professionally, Betty worked as a bookkeeper and accountant for her parents’ businesses while attending school. After marrying Oren L. Collins, Jr., and starting a family, she moved to Fort Wayne to assist her husband at his family’s dry-cleaning business. She also assisted various businesses in Northeast Indiana and Kentucky with tax preparation and bookkeeping.
Betty was very active in her community. She was a member of the Allen County Democratic Party, assisting campaigns, identifying, and training volunteers. She served several terms as the Party’s Vice Chairperson. Betty also served the City of Fort Wayne as a member of the Board of Public Works and spent several years as the Director of the City Personnel Department. She also volunteered for the Red Cross at the Fort Wayne State Hospital and Training Center. She later began a program supporting children with disabilities and their families at her local church where they awarded her a grant to run the program regularly.
After moving to Warsaw, IN she had a desire to get involved in her new community. She created a new endeavor to raise money and awareness for breast cancer research. With the support of other women in her community they created a cookbook, Just Peachy, to support research at the Indiana University Cancer Center. This group of women eventually brought their work to Washington D.C. and the White House where they helped pass legislation to provide better breast cancer prevention.
Betty married Charles Stephen LeCount on October 24, 1992. Eventually they both retired and spent many happy weekends on their boat at Lake Wawasee. They also traveled extensively in the United States and Canada in their motorhome and spent many winters in Florida. Betty had a strong work ethic even during retirement. She enjoyed her garden, flowers, and dogs, but most of all she loved her family dearly.
She is survived by her husband, Charles Stephen LeCount, two sons, Oren “Lee” Collins III and R. David Collins both of Warsaw; daughter, Kelly (David) Zachrich of Fort Wayne and six grandchildren; Casey (Travis) France of Fort Wayne; Sara Collins of Miami, FL; Leah Collins of Salt Lake City, UT; Samantha (Matt Edsall) Zachrich of Indianapolis; Christian Zachrich (Lina Trulsson) of Stockholm, Sweden and MacKenzie Zachrich of Fort Wayne. Also surviving are three great-grandchildren and a stepson, Tony LeCount, Indianapolis. She was preceded in passing by her parents and a brother, Ronald Wilson and her stepson Kirk LeCount.
A Life Celebration® is planned with Titus Funeral Home, 2000 East Sheridan Street, Warsaw where friends may gather on Thursday, December 23, 2021 beginning at 11 a.m. At 1 o’clock, those in attendance will celebrate Betty’s funeral service. Final entombment will be in Warsaw’s Oakwood Cemetery.
Memorial gifts may be directed to the Kosciusko County Community Foundation. Written condolences may be left for the family at www.TitusFuneralHome.com
