V. Nadine Laswell of Fowler, Ind., died Saturday, Sept. 29, 2007 at the VNA Horton Hospice Center in Valparaiso after a brief illness. She was 79.

Born on May 19, 1928 in Ripley County, Ind., she was the daughter of Leslie “Bud” D. and Gladys L. Adam. On June 5, 1946, she married Clarence F. Laswell, who preceded her in death.

She is survived by son Dennis L. Laswell of Indianapolis; daughters Linda Poparad (husband Ray) of Burns Harbor, Glenda S. Laswell of Black Mountain, N.C., and Carol A. Jeffries (husband Martin) of Phoenix, Ariz; sister Ruby Lee Gamble of Columbus, Ind.; brothers Leslie Eugene “Gene” Adam (wife Mariah) of Fortville, Ind., Gale Richard Adam (wife Rita) of Columbus; grandchildren Tracy Laswell of Indianapolis, Stacey Gilchrist (husband Dale) of Michigan City, Jennifer Poparad of Burns Harbor, and Adam Poparad of West Lafayette; great-grandchildren Amanda Thacker of Indianapolis, Nathan and Amber Laswell of Indianapolis, and Collin Gilchrist of Michigan City.

She was preceded in death by brother Wayne Adam.

For many years, she was the county clerk in Benton County and the Center Township Trustee. In her position as trustee, she was able to help many individuals, families and organizations within the community. She was responsible for securing grants that were used to purchase equipment for the Fowler Fire Department, which greatly improved the safety of the firefighters and the community as a whole.

In 1991, she retired from full-time employment at Purdue University, where she worked as the assistant to the Journal-Editor. She continued to work there part-time until 1998.

A long-time figure in the Benton County Republican Party, she held several key positions in the organization, was an active associate of the Fowler Chapter of the Rotary International Club and was a member of the Fowler Christian Church.

Visitation will be held Oct. 2 from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Windler Funeral Home in Fowler. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Oct. 3, at the Fowler Christian Church, with Kirk Zimmerman presiding. Memorial contributions may be made to the Arthur & Ethel Horton Hospice Center, 2404 Valparaiso St., Valparaiso, Ind. 46383 or to the Visiting Nurse Association of Porter County, 501 Marquette St., Valparaiso, Ind., 46383, or to the Lincoln Bible College, Clarence Laswell Scholarship Fund. Local arrangements are under the direction of White-Love Funeral Home, 525 S. 2nd St., Chesterton. For information call, 926-1309.

Posted 10/1/2007