Betty J. Keith

All who knew Betty Keith would agree that she certainly put the spice into life. She was bubbly and outgoing, and although she wasn’t afraid to tell it like it was Betty was also as sweet as they come. She fully embraced her role as a mother, but she just may have argued that becoming a grandmother was her greatest gift. With a life that spanned times of war and times of peace, times of plenty and times of want, Betty created a brilliant mosaic of memories that will be lasting treasures in the hearts and lives of those around her for generations to come.

It was great to be an American during the 1920s. Innovation fueled changes in both the business and manufacturing sectors that forever transformed the cultural fabric of our nation. There were unprecedented changes in the world of flight due to the adventurous spirits of Amelia Earhart and Charles Lindbergh, motion pictures that became available in both color and sound, and the all-time peak of Broadway. Prosperity was the dominant force and new radio stations joined the airwaves nearly every day while prohibition was the law of the land. Amidst this colorful time there was much to celebrate in the lives of one young couple from Kalamazoo, Michigan, as they were blessed with the births of two baby girls on September 8, 1928. Betty Jane and her twin sister, Dorothy, were the youngest two of four children born to their parents, George and Emma (Smith) Rutgers, and were raised in the family home in the Silver Creek area of Gun Plain Township alongside their older brothers, George and Richard.

In many ways Betty experienced an upbringing that was fairly typical for the youth of her generation. She was a delightful young girl who attended Plainwell schools, graduating from Plainwell High School as a young woman.

After graduating, Betty was excited for what was in store as she turned a new page in her life’s journey. She went to work for a time at the Kalamazoo Stationary Company, but it was her personal life that really grew exciting when she met the young man who stole her heart. His name was Charles Keith, and they met through Betty’s brothers. Truth be told, she was quickly smitten so she just hung around until she eventually caught his eye. After he returned from the war they started dating, and on June 17, 1949, they were married, deeply in love.

The newlyweds made a home in Plainwell where they raised their three children including Nancy, Richard, and John. From the moment she became a mother Betty fully embraced her new role, and she was able to stay home to care for their children while Charles supported the family by working at the Plainwell Paper Mill. She was a devoted wife and mother who was actively involved in her children’s activities, especially helping with their scouting troops. Betty was a superb homemaker who also enjoyed gardening and was known for her snap dragons. She was a lifetime member of the First Baptist Church of Plainwell where she was very active on the various committees and clubs, most notably those that involved her children.

Right after retiring Betty and Charles made the most of having more time to spend doing the things they loved. They did quite a bit of traveling and especially enjoyed Florida and Colorado.

In 1991 Betty and her loved ones were deeply saddened with the death of her husband, Charles. Betty found strength in her faith and the love of her family during the days, weeks, and months that followed, and she found that keeping busy helped, too. She began volunteering at Life Care Center of Plainwell, continuing to help out there for the 20 years that followed. Betty loved going to Burger King and had a great group of friends who frequently met at Judy’s Restaurant. Just as she had been with her own children, Betty was very active in her grandchildren’s lives as she never missed an event whether a sports game, school play, or birthday party. She was always there for her grandchildren in anything and everything they needed.

It was just a few weeks ago that Betty’s health began rapidly declining. After just 15 days at the same Life Care Center where she had volunteered for so many years, she drew her last breath.

As her friends and family can attest, Betty Keith was a genuine gift in their lives. She was a talkative woman who was outgoing and social with numerous friends who brightened her life. Betty had an uncanny knack for telling it like it was, leaving no doubt in the minds of those around her of exactly where she stood on any situation. She was a devoted wife and mother who based the way she lived her daily life on the unwavering faith that was her constant companion. Life will never be the same without Betty here, but her legacy will live on in the hearts and lives of those who follow her.

Betty Keith died on December 1, 2012. Betty’s family includes her children, Nancy (Don) Colegrove, Richard Keith, and John (Janice) Keith; grandchildren, Traci (Russell) Babcock, Michael (Leigh Ann) Colegrove, Jacqueline (Brent) Peters, Faith (William) Davis, and John (Kerry) Keith; great-grandchildren, Ashley, Jeffrey, Megan, Jennifer, Preston, Quinton, Daniell, James, Charles, and Amanda; sister-in-laws, Elaine Perry Keith, Phyllis Keith and Tyna Keith; and brother-in-law, Leslie (Lois) Keith as well as many other relatives. Betty was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Charles; sister, Dorothy Lancaster; and brothers, George and Richard Rutgers. Visitation will be on Tuesday, December 4 from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Plainwell; 404 West Bridge Street where a funeral service will immediately follow at 1:00 p.m. Betty will be buried by her husband in Hillside Cemetery. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you can leave a memory or sign the online guestbook.