Submitted by: Dan Rich

Dennis Earl Bettcher

Oct. 21, 1938 - Dec. 10, 2001

South Bend Tribune 12/13/2001

Dennis Earl Bettcher, 63, residing on U.S. 31 South, Lakeville, Ind., passed away at 2:45 p.m. Monday, Dec. 10, in the Fort Wayne Lutheran Hospital. He was born Oct. 21, 1938, in LaPorte County, Ind., as the son of Robert Earl and Gennevia G. (Mann) Bettcher, and was a lifelong resident of this community. He was preceded in death by his parents, and by a brother, Terry Bettcher. Dennie Bettcher was a loving grandpa, dad and husband. He cared deeply for his family, friends and those who surrounded him. He gave so much to the community by devoting his time to the Lakeville Volunteer Fire Department and the Lakeville Little League, and helping with extracurricular activities at school. His love and devotion for children was so great that he spent 15 years of life driving the school bus for Union North United School Corporation, not only for his regular route but for extra school functions.

Dennie graduated in 1957 from North Liberty Township High School. He was the owner/operator of Bettcher's Repair, was a school bus driver, and was a self-employed farmer. He enjoyed woodworking, was a member of the Lakeville Volunteer Fire Department, a member and past president of the Lakeville Business Commerce Association, and was a member of the Lakeville Lions Club.

On Oct. 18, 1958, in Mishawaka, Ind., he married Karen F. Basham, who survives. He is also survived by two daughters, Tonya (Charles) Stanley and Dawn (Sid) Myrick, both of Lakeville; four sons, Dennis (Sue) Bettcher, Mike (Patty) Bettcher, Rodney (Cindy) Bettcher and James Bettcher, all of Lakeville; 16 grandchildren, Chad Stanley, Tara Stanley, Kendra Stanley, Charla Stanley, Becka Stanley, Dana Stanley, Dennis Bettcher, Brandon Bettcher, Kelsey Bettcher, Katie Bettcher, Rachael Bettcher, Michael Bettcher, Aaron Bettcher, Rodney Bettcher, Ryan Bettcher and Michaela Bettcher; a great-grandson, Auston Stanley-Horvath; and by a brother, William R. Bettcher of South Bend, Ind.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 15, in the First Community Church of God, LaPaz, Ind. Rev. Steven D. Cox, pastor of Cornerstone Community Fellowship, will officiate. Graveside services and burial will follow at Fair Cemetery, North Liberty, Ind. The family will receive friends from 2 to 8 p.m. Friday in the Palmer Funeral Home, 314 South Michigan Street, Lakeville, and one hour prior to services on Saturday in the church. Contributions in memory of Dennis Earl Bettcher may be made to Lutheran Hospital, c/o the Heart Transplant Unit, 7950 W. Jefferson Blvd., Fort Wayne, IN 46804.