Retrospect: Couple won Powerball

In 1993, a Richland Township couple claimed their $30 million Powerball winnings.

Wendell and Betty Addington split a $60 million jackpot with Millie Bond of Cameron, Missouri, as both had tickets with the winning numbers: 5, 9, 15, 16 and 26, and the Powerball of 44.

Wendell, a bus driver, took the day off from work after claiming the prize. But he still planned on driving the fan bus to the boys sectional basketball tournament that evening.

“We’ve got to wait until the numbness wears off,” said the 64-year-old, who was also a farmer. “Everything happened so fast. It’s hard to believe. You read about those things happening, but you don’t really think of it happening at home.”

The Addingtons planned to share the jackpot with their four children — Brian Addington, Randy Addington, Nancy Fulkerson and Jone Snider — splitting the annual $1.07 million check six ways.

Their lottery win came less than a week after Douglas and Terri Smitley of Dunkirk won $100,000 for hitting five Powerball numbers.

Addington bought the winning ticket, along with nine others, at Ludwig’s Supermarket in Dunkirk. The store owners, Jerry and Barbara Ludwig, joined the Addingtons as they received the check at Hoosier Lottery headquarters in Indianapolis. The store received a $100,000 commission for selling the ticket.

After the visit to Indianapolis, the Addington family held a celebration at Pete’s Duck Inn in Albany. Wendell and Betty returned home to a handmade sign on their door that read: “Congratulations! We are so happy 4 U!” and an answering machine full of congratulatory messages.