Submitted by: Mary Jo Koran

HABEGGER

Beitler

Depp

Ellis

Luginbill

Schindler

Sherrard

Ward

SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE – August 12, 2001

Elizabeth M. Habegger

March 9, 1919 - Aug. 9, 2001

Elizabeth Marie "Betty" Habegger, 82, loving mother and grandmother, passed away at 5:40 p.m. in Berne, Ind., at the Swiss Village Retirement Home. Mrs. Habegger resided in South Bend, Ind., from 1952-1995. She then moved to the Swiss Village Retirement Home in Berne.

Elizabeth Marie "Betty" Habegger was born March 9, 1919, a daughter of Vilas and Mary (Depp) Schindler in Berne.  On May 10, 1942, in Berne, she married Lewis G. Habegger, son of Jesse and Cora (Beitler) Habegger. Her husband, Lewis, passed away June 21, 1992.

She is survived by her three daughters, Marilou Beth Sherrard, South Bend, Carol Ann Ward, Hatfield, Pa., and Barbara Sue Ellis, Lexington, Ky.; and seven grandchildren, John Sherrard, Cincinnati, Ohio, Jennifer Sherrard, South Bend, Lauren Ward, Hatfield, J.B. Ward, Hatfield, Zachary Ward, Hatfield, A.J. Ellis, Lexington, Ky., and Joshua Ellis of Lexington; a sister, Gyneth Luginbill of Berne; and by a brother, Dr. Robert Schindler of Stevensville, Mich.

Elizabeth was a member of Sunnyside Presbyterian Church in South Bend were she served as staff organist and director of children's choirs for 35 years. She taught organ, piano and flute privately for many years, and was the author of an article, "A Little Child Shall Lead Them," published in the national magazine, The School Musician, pertaining to children's choirs.

She graduated in 1936 from Berne High School and from Manchester College, Cum Laude, in 1941. She received a B.S. degree in music education, music supervisor's license, a major in piano and minor in organ. She also received a B.S. degree in home economics. She was selected as a member of Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities in 1940-1941, and was elected May Queen in 1940 at Manchester College. She served on the student court, served as president of the Women's Student Body, and served as an editor of the college yearbook, as well as a reporter for the weekly college newspaper. She also played flute with the North Manchester City Symphony Orchestra.

After graduation, Betty taught music, marching band, and orchestra in New Carlisle, Ohio, and Wabash, Ind, Elkhart Community Schools. She taught home economics in the South Bend Community Schools for 22 years at Lincoln and Jackson Middle School. She served as a judge for the NISBOVA (Northern Indiana School Band, Orchestra and Vocal Association) for many years. She also judged 4-H clubs in northern Indiana and served as dean of girls at Manchester College Summer Band Camps.

Betty was a lifetime member of the South Bend School Men's Wives Club, holding various offices, including president of the School Men's Wives Garden Club. Betty served as a member of A.G.O. (American Guild of Organists) for many years.

She was often featured in the South Bend Tribune for her creative recipes and community services. Betty served for many years as a volunteer at the South Bend Memorial Hospital and a member of Kiwanis Auxiliary; a member of Delta Kappa Gamma Educational Sorority and PEO Philanthropic sorority; a member of the United Presbyterian Women's Association, receiving the outstanding service award and pin in 1985; played flute in the Indiana University Wind Ensemble South Bend Campus for many years until 1992; member of the Indiana Retired Teachers Association, the St. Joseph County, Adams County ISTA, and the NEA.

In Berne, she had served on the board of directors of the Swiss Village Resident's Association, as an active volunteer, a member of the Library Committee, and was an avid reader, keeping up with the current best-seller lists.

Since returning to Berne, she renewed membership with First Missionary Church, the church in which she was baptized and a member in her youth. Her retirement time was often spent recalling her many adventures with her seven grandchildren at her summer home on Crooked Lake in Oden, Mich.

Friends may call from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Swiss Village Chapel, Berne, followed by a 2 p.m. "Joyful Service" with Reverend Anita Ridiger, Reverend Jonathan Amstutz and Reverend Gareth Wiedukehr officiating. Burial will follow at MRE Cemetery.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Yager-Kirchhofer Funeral Home, 365 West Main, Berne, Inda.

Memorials may be made to Bethel College, Lewis G. Habegger, Memorial Scholarship; Young Life International, John Schindler Ministries; Swiss Village; Hospice; and Gideon International.