Elizabeth “Betty” Updike was born on May 11, 1942, in Washington, D.C., to Stephen Brunauer, a Commander in the U.S. Navy, and Esther Caulkin Brunauer, who worked at the U.S. State Department. She moved to Evanston, Illinois, with her father, mother, and Kathy Brunauer Horvat, her older sister, when her father took a job as a Chemist with the Portland Cement Company in 1952. She attended Evanston High School through her graduation in 1960.
In the fall of 1960, Betty entered Franklin College in Franklin, Indiana, where she met her husband, Graham D. Updike. She was the President of Delta Zeta Sorority and majored in Civil Work (BA). She graduated in May 1964. She was also involved in Delta Zeta as an Alumni supporter for several years after college. She moved to Terre Haute, Indiana, in 1965, where she and her husband, who earned his BA in Education at Indiana University, began their coaching and teaching careers. They had a son, Bradford Updike, in July 1966. During her time in Terre Haute (1965-1968), she worked as a District Advisor for the Girl Scouts of America.
In the summer of 1968, Betty moved to Flora, Illinois, with her husband and son, where her husband got the job as Head Football Coach at Flora High School. During her time in Flora, she received her elementary education teaching degree from Eastern Illinois University, and she worked as a Sixth-Grade teacher. During her time in Flora, she had a daughter, Theresa (born September 30, 1968). During her time in Flora, she was also an avid supporter of Flora High School sports teams (especially football and track), and she made many friends. She was also a focused gardener and won some awards for her flowers and arrangements in the Flower and Garden local club events.
In 1973, Betty moved with her family to Centralia, Illinois, which would be her longtime and final home. She worked as a teacher at Willow Grove Grade School for 20 years, and she was a member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, the Lady Elks Auxiliary, and a strong supporter of the Marion County Democratic Party. She was also a supporter of Centralia High School sports, where her husband was a longstanding and well- respected high school coach in football, track, basketball, wrestling, cross country, and girls basketball.
During the first decade of her time in Centralia, she played tennis. Betty and Graham were also longstanding members of Meadow Woods Country Club, where her husband was a past Board Member and President. In her extra time, she continued her gardening and was a highly competitive card player. As her children moved into their work, Betty and Graham enjoyed taking trips to Indiana, South Dakota, and Nebraska for birthdays and fun visits. She also routinely followed college sports and current events, and Betty could take all comers on discussions involving current issues (as her dearly departed sister Kathy, and Niece Esther, can attest to).
Betty remained in her home in Centralia until August 2024. She spent her final time well cared for by her surviving daughter and was visited by her son and grandchildren. Betty passed peacefully on Friday, January 22, 2026, in Noblesville, Indiana.
Betty is survived by her children: Bradford Updike and Theresa Thompson, her son-in-law: Joe Thompson, her nephew and niece, Stephen Horvat and Esther Blaskovich, and her grandchildren: Adam Updike, Hannah Thompson, and Grace Updike.
Funeral Services will be held Sunday, February 8, 2026, at 2:00 PM at the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home in Centralia, Illinois. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Centralia, Illinois. Friends and Family may gather on Sunday from 1:00 PM until the time of the service at the Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Feeding America and/or World Vision and will be accepted at the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home located at 235 North Sycamore Street, Centralia, Illinois 62801, (618)532-3523, who is honored to be of service to Betty’s Family. Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.sutherlandfuneralhome.com and the Funeral Home Facebook page.
