Betty Ruth Portell, 81, of De Soto, formerly of Crystal City, died July 3, 2016, at the Villas in De Soto. Mrs. Portell was a member of First Baptist Church of Herculaneum-Pevely. Born Jan. 20, 1935, in Thayer, she was the daughter of the late Vala C. (Brewer) and Dave W. Dunkin. She was preceded in death by her husband: Charles Portell.
She is survived by two daughters: Terry (Jim) Harris of Farmington and Angela Joy (Don) Denny of Crystal City; four sons: Charles Craig (Shannon) Portell of Ohio, Rocky Allen (Maggie) Portell of Texas, Michael Portell of Texas and Michael Joseph (Lisa) Portell of Springfield; a brother: Chris (Patsy) Dunkin of Daytona Beach, Fla.; 10 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Portell donated her body to St. Louis University Medical School. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society. Arrangements are under the direction of Vinyard Funeral Home.