Betty J (Kohler) Henschen

Betty J. Henschen, 90, of New Knoxville, died 6:25 A.M. Thursday, June 28, 2018, at Otterbein Saint Marys Retirement Community.

She was born June 29, 1927, in Saint Marys, the daughter of Elmer and Leona (Lanning) Kohler.

She married Hosea Henschen on October 31, 1954 at Zion Lutheran Church in Saint Marys; he preceded her in death on August 30, 1985.

She is survived by her children: Brent (Rita) Henschen of New Knoxville; Barbara (Dale) Niemeyer of New Knoxville.

She is survived by her grandchildren: Todd (Erin) Elsass; Jared (Robin) Elsass; Brittany (Jared) Clark; Kelby (Elise) Henschen; Ben Niemeyer; Philip (Jami) Niemeyer; Adam (Erika) Niemeyer. She is also survived by her great-grandchildren: Ashley Niemeyer; Katelyn Niemeyer; Haley Niemeyer; Brandon Niemeyer; Taylor Niemeyer; A.J. Niemeyer; Owen Elsass; Anderson Elsass; Easton Elsass; Leah Elsass; Irelynn Elsass; Evan Elsass; Coy Clark; Cali Clark; Brady Henschen; Kennedy Henschen.

Also surviving are her siblings: Sally Meckstroth on New Bremen; Janet Craft of Saint Marys.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents; husband; siblings: Patricia Henning; June Carol Henderson; by several nieces and nephews.

She was a 1945 graduate of Saint Marys Memorial High School, and she enjoyed planning class reunions over the years. She grew up in Saint Marys, and was confirmed in the Zion Lutheran Church.

Betty worked as a secretary at Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company in Saint Marys, and retired in 1986.

She taught Sunday School for 50 years at Zion Lutheran Church and the First United Church of Christ in New Knoxville. She served as the first woman elder of the First United Church of Christ. She had sung in the choirs of both churches over the years; had been a member of the Saint Marys Music Club; a member of the Business and Professional Woman; the Community League of Women; A volunteer at JTDM Hospital; a member of the New Knoxville Historical Society; Auglaize County Historical Society and several card groups. She had worked for many years as a poll worker for the Democrat party. She traveled to most of our United States and to many countries abroad. She was the honored as guest of Randy Haberkamp and Bruce Elsass to walk the red carpet at the Academy Awards in Hollywood.

Funeral rites will be held 10:30 A.M. Monday, July 2, 2018, at the First Church of New Knoxville, The Reverend Joel Bucklin and the Reverend Kim Katterheinrich, officiants. Burial will follow at Pilger Ruhe Cemetery.

Friends may call from 2-6 P.M. Sunday in the Ministry Center of the First Church of New Knoxville, where memorial gifts may be given to either SERRV International or Grand Lake Hospice. Condolences may be sent to Betty’s family via Millerfuneralhomes.net

Vornholt-Miller Funeral Home, 200 West Spring Street, New Knoxville, is entrusted with Mrs. Henschen’s arrangements.