Bettye Virginia (Heironimus) Epmeier

Bettye Virginia (Heironimus) Epmeier, 88, of Newburgh passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Sunday, January 16th at the Deaconess Hospice Care Center. She was born December 15, 1922 in Denver, CO and grew up in Evansville. Bettye was the 4th of 5 children born to Edith and Orville Heironimus.

Bettye graduated from Bosse High School in 1941. She married Robert "Bob" Epmeier in 1942 at St. John's United Church of Christ in Evansville. Bob and Bettye enjoyed over 68 years of loving marriage to which both were absolutely committed to each other. During World War II, Bettye followed Bob, who served in the Navy, to bases in Jacksonville, FL; Alameda, CA and Minneapolis, MN until Bob was deployed to the South Pacific for war duty.
After the war, Bettye raised 2 children and worked for 26 years for the EVSC as a Kindergarten Assistant. She loved children and was a devoted teacher, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother.

Bettye also had many interests. She was a long time member of the Hadi Shrine Egyptian Band, cherished the time she spent at their vacation home on Eddy Creek at Barkley Lake and traveled extensively including trips to Hawaii, England, Europe, Alaska and throughout the continental United States.

Bettye was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Wayne Heironimus. She is survived by her husband, Bob; son, Bruce Epmeier (Judy) of Newburgh; daughter, Beth Newmaster (Steve) of Boonville; grandchildren, Michael Epmeier (Amanda) of Newburgh; Carrie Epmeier (Ryan Byrnes) of Chicago, IL, Jessica Elbaum-Shanahan (Brian) of Los Angeles, CA; great grandchildren, Isaac and Evan Epmeier of Newburgh; sisters, Wanda Merrill of St. Louis, MO, Martha Manahan of Palm Beach Gardens, FL; brother, Jimmy Heironimus of Evansville and many nieces and nephews.

Services for Bettye will be 11 am, Saturday, January 22, 2011, at Boone Funeral Home-East Chapel, 5330 Washington Avenue, Evansville, IN with the Rev. Joe Foster officiating. Entombment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery.

Friends may call from 3pm until 8 pm, Friday, January 21, 2011, and from 10 am until service time, Saturday, at Boone Funeral Home.

The family would like to give a special thanks to William Hardesty, MD; Neil Troffkin, MD; Rev. Joe Foster; Rev. Carolyn Jordan; the Deaconess Gateway Emergency Dept.; Deaconess Gateway Neuro ICU; Deaconess Gateway 6th Floor Medical Unit and the Deaconess Hospice Care Center.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Deaconess Hospice or the Deaconess Foundation, 600 Mary St., Evansville, IN 47747.

Bettye Epmeier
This Guest Book will remain online until 2/19/2011.
January 19, 2011
Dear Bruce, Judy and Family, I was saddened to see the announcement, but know you find comfort in knowing her struggles are behind her and God's glory ahead of her. Many, many thoughts and prayers are with you all...
Always, Barbara Verley, Newburgh, Indiana
 
January 20, 2011
Since we're unable to be with all of you as we're enroute to Florida, we are so sorry and extend our sincere sympathy to all the family. Enjoyed Betty so much when she was in our Nile Egyptian Band, and I remember her telling me that we had bought her sister's home on Russell Ave. (Manahan's) years ago. We lived there 48 years before moving to a condo. Every year at Christmastime, I think of Betty and her mother with all their pretty decorations I bought. And, too, we remember Bruce as he did some photography for us, also. A great family and we send our sympathy to all.
LaRue and Burt Cloud
January 20, 2011
All my thoughts and prayers are will you all. Such a beautiful and uplifting lady. I am so sorry we can’t be with you at this time.
Love Cindy Morrissey, Lake Worth, Florida