Betha J. Gackenheimer, 88, of North Manchester, and formerly of Wabash, died at 10:04 a.m. April 3, 2011, in Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne.
She was born Feb. 18, 1923, in Bellevue, Ohio, to Arthur and Cecil Collins White. On May 24, 1947, in Fort Wayne, she married Robert E. Gackenheimer of Wabash. He died April 18, 1998.
The family moved to Fort Wayne in 1937, and she graduated from Northside High School in 1941. She had worked at Lincoln Life, Fort Wayne, and Gackenheimer Pharmacy, Wabash. She was a member of St. Matthew's United Church of Christ. She served on the consistory, was a member of the building committee of the new church, served on the Board of Christian Education and served on the Altar Committee for more than 30 years. She was active in the Women's Guild, Deborah Circle and taught Sunday School for a number of years. She was a member of Kappa Delta Phi Sorority for more than 65 years, the Order of the Eastern Star for more than 60 years, a board member and then driver for Meals on Wheels for more than 30 years and a member of the Wabash County Hospital Auxiliary. She volunteered in the gift shop for more than 30 years. While living at Peabody, she was active on the Spiritual Life Committee and participated in Body Recall.
Surviving are three children: Jean (and spouse Edward) Teune, Warsaw; James (and spouse Julie) Gackenheimer, Wabash; and Jerry (and spouse Cindy) Gackenheimer, Beaver Dam Lake; eight grandchildren: the Rev. Ryan (and spouse the Rev. Abby) Gackenheimer, Vermont; Amy (and spouse Chris) Hunter, Ypsilanti, Mich.; Erin (and spouse Kipp) Cantrell, Wabash; and John, Elaine and Eric Teune, all of Warsaw; Chris Gackenheimer (and Melissa Barton) Gackenheimer, Chicago, Ill.; and Cory (and spouse Melonie) Gackenheimer, Indianapolis; five great-grandchildren: Alyssa and Erika Teune, both of Warsaw; Jackson and Eden Gackenheimer, both of Indianapolis; and Emma Cantrell, Wabash; a sister-in-law, Mary Helen Friermood, North Manchester; a brother-in-law, Andrew Butler, Fort Wayne; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a sister, Barbara Butler, who died in 2007.
Services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. Matthew's United Church of Christ, 1717 N. Wabash Street, Wabash. Burial will be in Falls Cemetery.
Calling is from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, 1241 Manchester Ave., Wabash, and one hour prior to service Tuesday at the church.
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Memorials may be sent to St. Matthew's United Church of Christ.
Condolences may be sent via www.grandstaff-hentgen.com
