July 24, 1926 – October 29, 2018
Betty Ann Merrill Vawter, 92, Sheridan, passed away on Monday evening, October 29, 2018 at Riverview Health in Noblesville. She was born to Grover “Pat” Merrill and Effie (Pickard) Merrill on July 24, 1926 in Scircleville, Ind., located in Clinton County. Betty was sixth in line of eight children born to Grover and Effie Merrill.
Betty and Samuel M. Vawter were married on January 25, 1947 in Hamilton County. Together they had four children, three sons and one daughter. They raised the children in the house on the southwest corner of State Road 47 and Hamilton-Boone County Line Road. She recalled that after a huge snowfall one winter they had a house full of strangers sleeping on their living room floor because all roads were closed. Later, many of those who stayed stopped by with boxes of food for the family who had welcomed them with open arms.
Betty worked for several years at Aero Drapery in Westfield, and remained in touch with some of her former coworkers. After her retirement, she and Sam spent many winters in Ft. Myers, Fla., where they enjoyed the company of other snowbirds who liked to go shelling on Sanibel Island, play bingo and have fun euchre games on New Year’s Eve.
She was a lifetime member of Weight Watchers and enjoyed interacting with the members and stayed in touch with many of them through the years. Her hobbies included crochet, embroidery and needlepoint.
She and Sam attended Six Points Church (formerly Sheridan Wesleyan Church) for many years, and after Sam’s passing, she also attended Sheridan First United Methodist Church. She very much appreciated the many visits and prayers from both congregations.
Betty loved having visits from family and friends, especially after her move a year ago to Sanders Glen Assisted Living in Westfield. She enjoyed sitting around chatting before mealtime, playing bingo, and winning chocolate bars with the other residents as prizes!
Betty was preceded in death by her parents, husband Samuel M. Vawter, sons Keith and Rick Vawter, and siblings Thomas Merrill, Lloyd Merrill, Mildred VanMeter, Ruth Wallace, Helen Merrill and Glen Merrill.
Survivors include her sister, Norma (Donald) Hall, Carmel; daughter Pam (Bill) Hintalla of Michigan; and her son Phil (Tina) Vawter. Sheridan. Betty also leaves behind 10 grandchildren: Billy (Vanessa), Zach (Phylicia) and Margie Hintalla, Kari (Jack) Hunter, Christina Vawter, Megan (John) Ward, Daniel (Vinny) Vawter, Marsha (Mike) McMillen, Ryan (Diana) Vawter and Marissa (Lynn) Lee; eight great-grandchildren; two daughters-in-law, Janet and Wanda Vawter; and many nieces and nephews.
Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, November 2, 2018 at Crown View Cemetery in Sheridan. Pastor Carol Fritz will be officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Sheridan Public Library, Sheridan First United Methodist Church, or Six Points Church in Sheridan.
Arrangements
Service: 11 a.m., Nov. 2
Location: Crown View Cemetery, Sheridan
Condolences: kerchevalfuneralhome.com