Elizabeth Ann “Betsy” Elchert, age 74, formerly of Cherry St., and currently of Autumnwood Care Center, died at 1:46 am, Friday, January 9, 2009, at Mercy Hospital of Tiffin.
Betsy was born on January 23, 1934, in Amherst, Ohio, to the late Harold and Hazel (Ruch) Caves. On June 10, 1961, she married Donald H. Elchert at St. Joseph Catholic Church of Tiffin, and he survives.
Also surviving are two sons, Keith (Laura) Elchert of Fort Wayne, IN, and Kenneth Elchert of New York, NY; a daughter, Melodie (John) Dombrowski of Pickerington, OH; and three grandchildren, Emma Dombrowski, Holly Elchert, and Nicholas Elchert.
Betsy was preceded in death by a step-sister Mary Allen.
In 1951, Betsy graduated from Sycamore High School and from Bowling Green State University in 1958. She retired from teaching and was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church. She had also served as President of the Autumnwood Care Center Residents Council, served on the Seneca County Park Board to develop the Zimmerman Nature Preserve.
Betsy was always musical and sang in the Chancel Choir and also directed the Youth Choir of the Sycamore United Church of Christ. She served as President and Secretary of the Little Theatre Society and was a member of the Sycamore Music Club. She also appeared in many Ritz Players productions and served as Secretary of the Ritz Players Board. She taught at Mohawk, St. Joseph, Noble, and Seneca East Schools, and then retired from Hopewell-Loudon School where she served as President and Secretary of the Hopewell-Loudon Education Association. She had also served in the Mentoring Program at Lincoln Elementary School.
The Funeral Mass will be 11 am Monday, January 12, 2009, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, with Revs. Joseph Szybka and James Steinle officiating. The Rosary will be recited in church fifteen minutes prior to Mass. Burial will be immediately following at St. Joseph Cemetery.
Friends may call from 4 to 7 pm Sunday, January 11, 2009, at Traunero Funeral Home, 214 South Monroe Street, Tiffin, Ohio 44883, (419)-447-3113. There will be a Wake Service at 6:30 pm Sunday at the funeral home.