Elizabeth Olivia “Betty” Hellhake

1930-2018

Elizabeth Olivia “Betty” Hellhake, age 87, of Danville, passed on to her heavenly home on March 16, 2018 at UK Hospital in Lexington. 

She was born on September 22, 1930, in Quincy, Illinois, daughter of Charles Walter and Olivia Ebbert. She married her soulmate and the love of her life, John E Hellhake on December 31, 1949 in Palmyra, Missouri. He survives. She was the loving mother of five, Cheryl (Mike) Harley of Battletown, KY; Richard (Karol) Hellhake of Bradenton, FL; Laurel (Geri Schinzel) Hellhake of Waterford, MI; Susan (Ronald) Chapman of Sarasota, FL and was predeceased by son, John Walter Hellhake. She was grandmother to five and great-grandmother to five. She is also survived by two brothers, Charles (Mary Lou) Ebbert of Wisconsin and Kenneth (Kathy) Ebbert of California and beloved pet, Gracie. 

She was a devoted Catholic all her life and was a member of St Peter & Paul Catholic Church. She was a loving and devoted wife of John, following him across the U.S. and half-way around the world when he joined the US Army in 1955. She loved traveling and they explored all 50 states and seven foreign countries together. Betty was retired from Oakland County government in Waterford, MI and was a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Oakland Community College, at the age of 59. Education was very important to her. Retired, she gave over 2500 volunteer hours at Manatee Glens Hospital in Bradenton, FL. Betty enjoyed meeting people and never had an unkind word for anyone. She loved gardening and photographing their many memorable trips.

Visitation will be March 24 at 11:00 a.m. followed by funeral Mass at 12:00 at St Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Danville. Father Alan Carter will be the celebrant. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), aspca.org. 

The online guestbook is available at www.stithcares.com.