Betty Lou "Betz" Hilling

RICHMOND, Ind. – Betty Lou “Betz” Hilling, age 86, of Richmond, died Saturday, April 27, 2013, at Reid Hospital surrounded by her family after being ill since January. Born February 12, 1927, in Hamilton, Ohio, to Albert and Minerva Dean Richardson Garrett, Betty lived in this community since 1948. She attended Hamilton High School in Hamilton, Ohio. Betty married Philip Hilling on June 1, 1946. They eventually honeymooned at Niagara Falls Love Canal and New York City. She spent the majority of her life providing care to other people. Betty’s first position was as an attendant at East Haven (Richmond State Hospital). She also owned and operated her own nursing home on U.S. Highway 40 at the Grey Gables location. Betty later worked as a clerk for Adam H. Bartel for approximately ten years, until they closed. As a caretaker, her most important patient was her husband, Philip, for whom she cared for ten years. She made a significant contribution as a volunteer at Hand In Hand Adult Day Care, located across from Glen Miller Park. Her last volunteer position was at Reid Hospital caring for others. Betty was one of the original members of the Q Street Pentecostal Church, known for their blue “Jesus Saves” cross located at the front of the building. She was a member of the Red Hat Society, participating as a Rocking Robin, and loved the Richmond Senior Community Center. Betty enjoyed exercising, dancing, and playing bingo. She had many friends because she was a friendly person. Betty was a wonderful wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend. Survivors include her children, Lindell Monroe (Deb) Hilling of Troy, Illinois, Philip Wayne (Roberta) Hilling of Kinston, North Carolina, and Rickie Lee (Christine) Hilling of Hagerstown, Indiana; seven grandsons, Matthew (Carrie) Hilling, Jeremy (Jennifer) Hilling, Joe (Michelle) Hilling, Andrew (Erin) Hilling, Michael Hilling, Trevor (Anne) Nickerson, and Taylor Nickerson; seven great-grandchildren, Daniel, Megan, Lucas, Olivia, Jack, Abigaill, and Shaylin; siblings, Lavilda Isaacs of Mt. Sterling, Ohio, and Addie Mae (Calvin) Bolinger, Harold Garrett, and Andre (Betty) Garrett, all of Hamilton, Ohio; sisters-in-law, Carmen Garrett of Baltimore Maryland, and Gladys Garrett, Jacqueline Garrett, Linda Garrett, and Oralee Garrett, all of Hamilton, Ohio; brother-in-law, Johnny Price of Cincinnati, Ohio; and many nieces, nephews, and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Philip Hilling; parents; and siblings, Kenneth Garrett, David Garrett, Leslie Garrett, Juanita Price, Vernon Garrett, Oscar Garrett, Lewis “Luigi” Garrett, and Donald Garrett. The Hilling family would like to thank the staff of Reid Hospital and Reid Hospice, and also the staff of Richmond Cancer Center, especially Dr. Xinsheng Qin, and the staff at Forest Park Health Campus. Special thanks go out to her brothers, Andre and Harold Garrett, and her nephews, Greg Isaacs and Mark Bolinger, for their prayers and support, along with Betty’s neighbors, especially Terry and Gloria Arnold. Visitation for Betty Lou Hilling will be from 4 to 8:00 p.m. Friday, May 3, 2013, at Doan & Mills Funeral Home, 790 National Road West, Richmond. Funeral service will be at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, May 4, 2013, at Doan & Mills Funeral Home with Pastor Rodney Frieden officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to: Richmond Senior Community Center, 1600 South 2nd Street, Richmond, IN 47374. Condolences may be sent to the family via the guest book at www.doanmillsfuneralhome.com.

Betty Lou "Betz" Hilling

February 12, 1927 - April 27, 2013