Corena Elizabeth Webster

Rena was born November 26, on a Saturday morning, 1927, in the rolling hills of Red Boiling Springs, Tennessee, to George A. Hatcher and Lona Smith Hatcher. She grew up in Southern Indiana and Tennessee where her father was a farmer and her mother was a homemaker and savvy businesswoman in the poultry business.

Corena was 13 years old when her father was hired to manage a dairy farm in Plainfield, Indiana. She graduated from Plainfield High School and lived in Indianapolis until she decided to move her family to Putnamville, Indiana, on a beautiful 40-acre farm that later on became the Putnamville Speedway.

Rena worked for IBM in Greencastle and later for the Indiana Gas Company. From the 1970s through the 2000s, she was broker/owner of Hearthstone Realty in Greencastle and then Webster Realty when she moved to Plainfield. Rena was the first female to own a real estate company in Greencastle. Selling real estate was the highlight of her business career. She loved the process of buying and selling property and making customers happy. She was a lifetime 60-year Realtor and very proud of this accomplishment.

Rena married William “Bill” Webster on November 10, 1967. Together they owned rental properties and Red Wheel Antiques located in Putnamville and later in Greencastle. They enjoyed many years of antiquing, auctions and antique shows throughout Indiana. Rena and Bill had fierce competitive spirits. Whether it was “sending each other’s ball” in croquet or dumping the Queen in a game of Hearts, they gleefully relished their individual victories. A competitive bridge player, Rena belonged to several bridge clubs in her lifetime.

An avid gardener, Rena raised many vegetables and berries throughout her life, canning and freezing the bounty. When she moved to Plainfield, her roses became showstoppers on Beech Drive South. Hibiscus flowers, the size of dinner plates, adorned the backyard.

Rena was active in the Putnamville United Methodist Church. She served as UMW president, church organist and pianist and in other roles throughout the years. She was also a member and an officer of Beta Sigma Phi sorority, an organization that she thoroughly enjoyed as well as the American Legion Auxiliary.

Corena was a very giving and generous woman who contributed to many charities throughout her life. Veterans’ groups, animal charities and the Smile Train were a few of her favorites.

Most of all, however, Rena was the cornerstone of her family. She was lovingly called Grandma by her grandchildren and Gram by her great-grandchildren. Corena was a wonderful cook and baker. Her blackberry cobblers, chocolate and raisin cream pies, Boston cream pies and sweet tea were most requested at family gatherings. And we can’t forget her legendary old-fashioned banana pudding topped with mile high meringue. It wouldn’t be a gathering unless card games were played. Her favorites were bid euchre and hand and foot.

Corena was happiest around her family. When she and Bill would take boating excursions on Cataract Lake, they of course included the entire family. We would board the Sweet Rena and spend the day swimming, fishing and water skiing.

Left to cherish her memory are daughters, Linda Carney, Gayle (Craig) Halleck, five grandchildren; Scott Nichols, Rachelle (Maurice) Dean, Brandon (Summer) Halleck, Brad (Jessica) Halleck and Bryan (Steve) Halleck; three great-grandchildren; Evan (Maiya) Morris, Dylan Halleck and Liam Halleck; step grandchildren; Layla, Piper and Barrett; stepdaughter Toby (Ron) Gowan and family, niece Mildred (Mike) Stevenson, and several great nieces and nephews. Also surviving her is family in California; Ron, Nancy, Betty, Russell and Bob (deceased), as well as family in Tennessee; Lois and Norris.

A funeral service to honor Corena’s life and legacy will be held Monday, October 20, 2025, at 1:00pm at Bittles and Hurt Funeral Home, 602 East Washington Street, Greencastle with visitation from 11:00am until the time of service. Chaplain Charles Sawyer will be officiating. Interment will be at Forest Hill Cemetery in Greencastle. Flowers are appreciated or donations in Corena’s memory may be made to local animal shelters or your preferred mental health organizations.