URBANA – Betty L. Zehr, 81, passed away Monday (Feb. 27, 2012) at her home in Urbana as a result of complications from Alzheimer's type dementia.
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 of Urbana; sons, the Rev. Terrence D. Zehr (Cheryl Troyer) Elkhart, Ind., and Dr. Randall L. Zehr (Cathy Klepack) of Columbus, Ind.; daughter, Rhonda S. Gibson (Charles Gibson) of Champaign; and daughter-in-law, Dr. Usha B. Zehr of Jalna (MS), India. She was preceded in death by a son, Dr. Brent E. Zehr of Jalna (MS), India. She is also survived by a granddaughter, Emily Gibson of Champaign; and five grandsons, Brian and Benjamin Zehr of Jalna, India, David and Justin Zehr of Elkhart, Ind., and Jonathan Gibson of Champaign. A brother, Wayne Birky; and two sisters, Arneitta Birkey and Geneva Good, also survive.
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 nonprofit 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.
A private cremation service will be held 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, 1900 S. Philo Road, Urbana. Pastor 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.
In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, 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 either to Renner-Wikoff Chapel, 1900 S. Philo Road, 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 of Urbana; sons, the Rev. Terrence D. Zehr (Cheryl Troyer) Elkhart, Ind., and Dr. Randall L. Zehr (Cathy Klepack) of Columbus, Ind.; daughter, Rhonda S. Gibson (Charles Gibson) of Champaign; and daughter-in-law, Dr. Usha B. Zehr of Jalna (MS), India. She was preceded in death by a son, Dr. Brent E. Zehr of Jalna (MS), India. She is also survived by a granddaughter, Emily Gibson of Champaign; and five grandsons, Brian and Benjamin Zehr of Jalna, India, David and Justin Zehr of Elkhart, Ind., and Jonathan Gibson of Champaign. A brother, Wayne Birky; and two sisters, Arneitta Birkey and Geneva Good, also survive.
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 nonprofit 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.
A private cremation service will be held 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, 1900 S. Philo Road, Urbana. Pastor 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.
In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, 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 either to Renner-Wikoff Chapel, 1900 S. Philo Road, Urbana, IL 61802, or to First Mennonite Church, 902 W. Springfield, Ave., Urbana, IL 61801.
URBANA – Betty L. Zehr, 81, passed away Monday (Feb. 27, 2012) at her home in Urbana as a result of complications from Alzheimer's type dementia.
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 of Urbana; sons, the Rev. Terrence D. Zehr (Cheryl Troyer) Elkhart, Ind., and Dr. Randall L. Zehr (Cathy Klepack) of Columbus, Ind.; daughter, Rhonda S. Gibson (Charles Gibson) of Champaign; and daughter-in-law, Dr. Usha B. Zehr of Jalna (MS), India. She was preceded in death by a son, Dr. Brent E. Zehr of Jalna (MS), India. She is also survived by a granddaughter, Emily Gibson of Champaign; and five grandsons, Brian and Benjamin Zehr of Jalna, India, David and Justin Zehr of Elkhart, Ind., and Jonathan Gibson of Champaign. A brother, Wayne Birky; and two sisters, Arneitta Birkey and Geneva Good, also survive.
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 nonprofit 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.
A private cremation service will be held 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, 1900 S. Philo Road, Urbana. Pastor 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.
In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, 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 either to Renner-Wikoff Chapel, 1900 S. Philo Road, 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 of Urbana; sons, the Rev. Terrence D. Zehr (Cheryl Troyer) Elkhart, Ind., and Dr. Randall L. Zehr (Cathy Klepack) of Columbus, Ind.; daughter, Rhonda S. Gibson (Charles Gibson) of Champaign; and daughter-in-law, Dr. Usha B. Zehr of Jalna (MS), India. She was preceded in death by a son, Dr. Brent E. Zehr of Jalna (MS), India. She is also survived by a granddaughter, Emily Gibson of Champaign; and five grandsons, Brian and Benjamin Zehr of Jalna, India, David and Justin Zehr of Elkhart, Ind., and Jonathan Gibson of Champaign. A brother, Wayne Birky; and two sisters, Arneitta Birkey and Geneva Good, also survive.
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 nonprofit 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.
A private cremation service will be held 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, 1900 S. Philo Road, Urbana. Pastor 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.
In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, 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 either to Renner-Wikoff Chapel, 1900 S. Philo Road, Urbana, IL 61802, or to First Mennonite Church, 902 W. Springfield, Ave., Urbana, IL 61801.
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