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IN LOVING MEMORY OF

Betty Jane

Betty Jane Strong Profile Photo

Strong

Sep 27, 1920 — Dec 7, 2016

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Obituary

Betty Jane Strong, 96, of Rochester passed away at 5:45 PM on Wednesday, December 7 , 2016 at her residence.
On September 27 , 1920, Betty  Jane Guise was born in Leiters Ford.  She was the cherished daughter of Harley and Clara Elizabeth Bitterling Guise.  As one of six children, growing up she shared her childhood with two brothers and three sisters.  With great pride she graduated from Leiters Ford High School in 1938.
Betty Jane married the love of her life and best friend, Clair Eugene Strong on April 20 , 1944, in Jackson, Mississippi. They shared 62 years of life's adventures.  From their union came three beautiful daughters.  The family tree continued to grow with the added blessings of six grandchildren.
In addition to being a wonderful mother and wife, Betty Jane assisted Clair with the daily operation of the family farm.  They oversaw a fine herd of over 35 registered Jersey cows.  Betty Jane was a clerk at the Schultz Dime Store of Rochester during the early years .  She enjoyed flower gardening and being a member of the American Hemerocallis Society. Betty Jane collected over 2000 registered varieties of daylilies and 110 varieties of iris in her gardens . Her memberships include St. John Lutheran Church and the Indiana Farm Bureau.
As a the matriarch of the Strong family, Grandma Betty Jane was proud to oversee four generations. She cherished the time with her family celebrating birthdays and holidays.  An avid reader, Betty Jane looked forward to the arrival of the bookmobile in her neighborhood, taking her children upon its arrival.  She instilled the values of a lifelong learner and reading to her legacy, having as much fun selecting new reading material as her kids.  Betty Jane feasted on fiction, biographies, and history.  She aspired to be an author, but with the demands of her schedule never found the time.  She also enjoyed collecting stamps.
Left to cherish Betty Jane's memories are three daughters: Elizabeth Dermody and husband William Dermody Sr., Zion, IL ., Cynthia Claire Cory and husband Tim, Hazard, Ky., and Lisa Blocker and husband Brent, Argos; five grandchildren: William Dermody Jr. and wife Heidi, Zion, IL ., Katie Shea and husband Phillip, Montgomery, AL, Tina Cory, Japan with the U.S. Navy,  Kevin Cory  and wife Laura, Ft. Irwin, CA with the U.S. Army,  and Christopher Cory and wife Ashley, in physical therapy school in Greenwood and USAR ; ten great-grandchildren: Megan, Max, Keira, and Connor Dermody, Claire, Madeline, and Colin Shea, Mikaela, Nicholas and Olivia Cory;  numerous nieces and nephews including  Teresa Maynard and Helen Weese; and a special care giver, Brenda Wooten.
Preceding Betty Jane in death are her parents; beloved husband Clair on May 29 , 2006; an infant daughter, Melinda, in 1953; grandson Nicholas Cory  in 2008; two brothers: Curtis and Milo Guise; and three sisters: Joanne Tuley, Beulah Milliser, and  Wiletta Wilson.
Our family wishes to give special thanks to Teresa, Helen and Brenda for the wonderful care they gave our mother.  Your kindnesses will always be remembered.

Rev. Curtis May will officiate services. Interment will be in the Rochester IOOF Cemetery.

To send flowers or plant a memorial tree in memory, please visit our flower store.

Funeral Services

Visitation

December
19

Monday

Good Family Funeral Home

1200 West 18th Street, Rochester, IN 46975

4:00 - 7:00 pm

Visitation

December
20

Tuesday

Good Family Funeral Home

1200 West 18th Street, Rochester, IN 46975

10:00 - 11:00 am

Celebration of Life

December
20

Tuesday

Good Family Funeral Home

1200 West 18th Street, Rochester, IN 46975

Starts at 11:00 am

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