Betty Irene Downing

Betty Downing, formerly of Bellefontaine, Ohio passed away October 18, 2017 in Westerville, Ohio where she has lived near her daughter since 2011. She was 93 years old. Her children, Karen (Doug) Kerns of Galena, Ohio, Russell (Marvalene) Downing of Bellefontaine, Sally (Joe Newport) Harshbarger of Spring City, Tennessee, and David (Toni) Downing of Bellefontaine as well as her grandchildren and great grandchildren are grateful for the years she shared with them.

Betty was the daughter of Albert Christ Yankee and Clara McCracken of Melvindale, Michigan. She is survived by her younger brother, Kenneth Yankee of San Diego, California. Betty was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, and will be remembered for her devotion to her family

After WWII, she married Robert “Joe” Downing the love of her life. She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents, Albert Christ Yankee and Clara McCracken; a brother, Sunny Yankee; a sister, Helen Harpham of Kingman, Arizona, and a grandson, Derek Downing of Bellefontaine.

To her grandchildren and great grandchildren she was known as "Grandma", and to her numerous nieces and nephews she was "Aunt Betty". For many years, Betty was involved in the Bellefontaine Sweet Adelines Inc., the United Methodist church, and was a Gold Leaf Grange member. She enjoyed volunteering at Mary Rutan Hospital and worked on the Election Board.

Her passing will leave an emptiness in many hearts.

Pastor Keith Matthews will officiate the funeral service at 1:00 P.M. Tuesday, October 24, 2017 at the Eichholtz Daring & Sanford Funeral Home & Cremation Center in Bellefontaine.  Visitation will be held two hours prior to the funeral service at the funeral home. Burial will be at the Highland Cemetery in West Liberty, Ohio.

The funeral arrangements are in the care of the staff of the Eichholtz Daring & Sanford Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Bellefontaine.