Betty Jean Getty

Betty Jean Getty, of Sebring passed away on Monday, May 20, 2013, at home after a courageous battle with cancer with her family at her side. She was born December 19, 1929 in Saginaw, Michigan to the late Mary E. and Elmer G. Thompson. She married Dr. Paul A. Getty on June 5, 1953. He survives her. Betty graduated from Saginaw High School in 1947. She went on to Taylor University in Upland, Indiana where she majored in elementary education with a minor in vocal music. After graduation, Betty taught elementary school in Saginaw for a few years and also was the choir director at Sherian United Methodist Church. Betty’s life involved missionary work, which led her and her husband to Liberia, West Africa, where she spent 15½ years as a school teacher, choir director, office worker, and Bible teacher at the nursing school. The Getty’s spent a year in South India preparing for work with leprosy patients after their first term in Liberia. Betty set up a school at the Leprosy Center on Ganta Mission in Liberia, teaching the children of leprosy patients. After leaving Liberia, Betty was employed as a receptionist in her husband’s surgical practice for 20 years in Kingwood, WV. She was active in the local church choir and started/directed the bell choir for 10 years. She has always been loved for her humor and positive manner of leadership. Betty has lived at Copeland Oaks Retirement Community in Sebring, Ohio for the past 7 years. She will truly be missed by her family and her many wonderful friends. Surviving besides her husband, Paul, are their children, Steve Getty of Hudson, WI and Ann Getty of Kingwood, WV, two grandchildren, Stephany and Alex Getty, of Hudson WI, a sister, Lorraine Conlay and a brother Elmer N. Thompson and his wife Grace, all of Saginaw, MI, a sister-in-law, Mary Hamilton of Seattle, WA, a brother-in-law, Calvin Yeager of Detroit, MI; and many nieces and nephews. Betty was predeceased by her daughter, Mary Lou Getty, her parents, Elmer and Mary Thompson, her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Rev. Frank and Louise Getty, a sister Marilyn Wartenberg, a niece, Mary Ellen Wartenberg, a sister-in-law, Evangeline Yeager and her brothers-in-law, Robert Conlay, Norman Wartenberg, and Lester Hamilton. A memorial service will be held at Copeland Oaks Bennett Chapel on Saturday June 1, 2013 at 2:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Oaks Foundation of Copeland Oaks 800 S. 15th St. Sebring, OH 44672 or the charity of your choice. Arrangements are by Gednetz-Ruzek Funeral Home. Friends may send condolences and sign the guest register online at www.grfuneralhome.com.

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