Elizabeth "Betty" Jane Mckowen

Elizabeth ‘Betty' Jane McKowen, 84, of Delphos, passed away Saturday evening, January 25, 2014 at Bridge Hospice Care Center in Findlay, Ohio. Her Family.... She was born September 11, 1929 in Claridge, Pennsylvania, to John and Mary (Butcher) Bittner, who preceded her in death. On June 27, 1953 she married Robert T. McKowen who preceded her in death on March 12, 1964. Betty is survived by her children, James (Linda) McKowen of Tipp City, Rebecca (Jim) Kellam of Lima and Thomas McKowen of Marion; five grandchildren, Jordan Kellam, Marie (Andrew) Wylie, Victoria Kellam, Emily McKowen and Daniel McKowen; one great-granddaughter, Anna Rose; brothers-in-law, Al Zolyak of Monroeville, Pennsylvania, Jim (Lois) McKowen of Ft. Jennings, Tim McKowen of Naples, Florida and Michael (Barbara) McKowen of Lima; sister-in-law Audrey McKowen of Florida; and many nieces and nephews. She was also preceded in death by a grandson, Jason Kerns; brothers, William and Martin (Joan) Bittner; sisters Mildred (Frank) Cinti and Helen Zolyak; brother-in-law Daniel McKowen; sister-in-law Nancy McKowen Her Legacy.... Betty was an active member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. She was a Delphos Canal Commission trustee, and volunteered at the Canal Museum. She had a passion for genealogy and was an avid historian. She was the first Tri-County Woman of the Year in 1967. In 1994 she retired as vice president of human resources from The Commercial Bank. Betty loved tennis and quilting, but her greatest love was her grandchildren. Her Farewell Services.... Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 30, 2014 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Rev. Msgn. Chris Vasco officiating. Burial will follow in St. John's Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday with a Parish Wake Service at 7:30 p.m., at Strayer Funeral Home, 1840 E. Fifth St., Delphos. Memorial contributions may be made to the Delphos Canal Commission, American Cancer Society, or The Bridge Hospice Care Center, and because of her love of shoes, bring a pair of shoes to donate to those who are in need. For those interested in donating shoes, in Betty's memory, to help those in need, here is a link to the website of the organization we will be sending the shoes: http://www.lovethrushoes.org To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Elizabeth "Betty" Jane McKowen please visit our Sympathy Store.