| Notes |
- Obit: (Pantagraph.com/obits)
URBANA — Betty L. Zehr, 81, Urbana, passed away Monday (Feb. 27, 2012) at her home in Urbana as a result of complications from Alzheimer’s-type dementia.
The Rev. Janet Rasmussen will lead a celebration of life memorial service at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at First Mennonite Church, 902 W. Springfield Ave., Urbana. A private cremation service will be at Renner-Wikoff Chapel and Crematory for family and close friends. Visitation for friends wishing to greet the Zehr family will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Renner-Wikoff Chapel, Urbana.
In lieu of flowers, the following may be considered for Betty L. Zehr memorials, the Student Scholarship Fund at Bethel College, the local branch of the Alzheimer’s Association, monetary donations to the food pantry fund at First Mennonite Church or any other charitable organization the donor may choose. If desired, these may be directed to either the Renner-Wikoff Chapel, 1900 S. Philo Rd., Urbana, IL 61802, or to First Mennonite Church, 902 W. Springfield, Ave., Urbana, IL 61801.
She was born April 29, 1930, the daughter of John S. and Fannie Birky, Foosland.
She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Dr. John E. Zehr, Urbana; sons, Rev. Terrence D. (Cheryl Troyer) Zehr, Elkhart, Ind.; and Dr. Randall L. (Cathy Klepack) Zehr, Columbus, Ind.; daughter, Rhonda S. (Charles) Gibson, Champaign; and daughter-in-law, Dr. Usha B. Zehr, Jalna (MS), India.
She was preceded in death by a son, Dr. Brent E. Zehr, Jalna (MS), India.
She is also survived by a granddaughter, Emily Gibson, Champaign; five grandsons, Brian and Benjamin Zehr, both of Jalna, India; David and Justin Zehr, both of Elkhart, Ind.; and Jonathan Gibson, Champaign; a brother, Wayne Birky; and two sisters, Arneitta Birkey and Geneva Good.
Betty was a very nurturing individual and her life was a model for her children, her grandchildren and all who knew her. In addition to a lifetime of dedication to her family and church, she was a gracious and gifted hostess who planned and supervised many events during the years her husband was at the University of Illinois and, later, president of Bethel College, North Newton, Kan.
In earlier years she was a regular volunteer at Ten Thousand Villages, a non-profit outlet for providing income for the poor from around the world. She hosted and entertained international medical students during their visiting clerkship rotations at the University of Illinois, providing them a home away from home during their studies.
After retirement, she and her husband traveled to many parts of the world, frequently to India where their youngest son and his family were engaged in agricultural research and development.
|
1930 - 2012 (81 years)
