Elizabeth
Elizabeth E. Meacham
Betty passed away Saturday, March 28, 2015 at Alamo Nursing Home.
She was born May 6, 1922 in Wayland Township, the twelfth of thirteen children of the late William and Mary Caroline (Holderle) Wahmhoff. On August 30, 1941 she married Richard Meacham who passed away in 1990. She always loved music and played many instruments without ever having a lesson or learning to read music. In her early years, before WWII, she and Richard formed a band and played country music at the Otsego Grange Hall. Betty had worked as an aide at Alamo Nursing Home and had also driven bus for Otsego Public Schools at Alamo Valley School. She loved doing crafts, gardening, camping, raising her five children and later spending time with her eight grandchildren.
Surviving are her children, Janice Gerhart, Sherry (Donald) Hurlbut and Richard Meacham; seven of her eight grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren and 8 great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Richard; two daughters, Bonnie Esman and Karen Clingan; a granddaughter, Tammie Moorlag and her husband, Joe; daughter-in-law, Sharon; sons-in law, Harvey and Bob and by all twelve of her siblings.
Friends may visit with Betty’s family Wednesday, April 1, 2015 from 6-8 P.M. at the Winkel Funeral Home, Otsego where a Funeral Celebration of Betty’s life will be held Thursday at 11:00 A.M. with Celebrant Bill Rose officiating.
Burial will follow at Green Bower Cemetery in Alamo Township.
Contributions in memory of Betty may be made to Alamo Nursing Home or
Gentiva Hospice.
Messages of condolence may be posted at www.
WinkelFuneralHome.
com
Offer Condolence for the family of Elizabeth E. Meacham
Condolence Messages
Jerry and Judy Shumaker
March 30, 2015 at 1:52 pm
To Sherry and Don, Jan, and Rick, and your families. We are so very, very sorry for the loss of your Mom. She was a very special lady and was loved and admired by all who knew her. She truly will be missed by her family and so many other people who got to know her through the years. She is with your Dad again and she is now an angel who will watch over all of you forever and ever. We hope that your fond memories will help guide you through your grief in the coming days, months, and years. Take care now.
Reply
Toni Mast
March 30, 2015 at 5:44 pm
Sherry: I am so sorry for your loss. I lost my mom a year ago in April. Please remember that her love for you and memories will be with you forever, and you can talk to her anytime you want. love, Toni
Reply
Judith Hiemstra-Bronson
March 30, 2015 at 9:09 pm
So sorry for your loss. I remember Betty as always with a smile and always wanted a hug.
Reply
Mike and Agnes Vanarsdal
March 31, 2015 at 6:41 am
Sherry and family, our very deepest sympathy. May God’s Grace be with each of you. Hugs!
Reply
Dixie Caldwell-Dalrymple
March 31, 2015 at 8:11 am
Sherry/Don/Jan/Rick:
Sorry to hear of Betty’s passing. She always had a smile and a hug for everyone no matter how long it had been since you saw her last. It’s been a very long time since our family (since 1957/58) has lived across the street from your mother. It’s funny how people stay connected over the years. She’s at peace.
Reply
John C Pullen
March 31, 2015 at 6:07 pm
Sherry as I read your mother’s Obituary I notice your mother was born just 5 days after my father was born in 1922 in Wayland. I wonder if they knew each other growing up?
My thoughts and prayers go out to you at this time. My Dad died only a month ago and I know how difficult this time is.
John
Reply
Susan (Jerrett) and Tom Sawasky
March 31, 2015 at 8:23 pm
What an amazing lady. She was such a wonderful bus driver; so loving. She had an infectious smile and l looked forward to seeing her every day. One thing that has always stayed in my memory….The first day we were going to pick up black children (Darryl and Joy Russell), who had moved into our neighborhood . Betty stopped the bus before reaching their home. She knew we were unfamiliar with black children and she walked down the aisle and gave us all a loving talk about her desire for all of us to welcome the new children with open arms. I have no doubts that her little speech made a huge difference in all of our lives that day. As the years went by, I thanked her each time I saw her. I know she made a huge difference in mine.
Reply
Ken & Chris
April 1, 2015 at 1:06 am
Rick, Sherry and family.
We’re so sorry for your loss. You’re in our heart thoughts and prayers. God bless all of you.
Reply
Larry & Kathi Fuss
April 1, 2015 at 6:26 pm
So sorry to hear of your mom’s passing, Sherry!! Memories of fun at the Meachams! Loved watching your parents and mine square dancing, too! Prayers and thoughts are with you!
Reply
Kim & Bryon Sheldon
April 1, 2015 at 8:36 pm
Rick, Sherry, Jan & families, we were so sorry to read about Betty’s passing. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. Your mom was a great person and will be missed by so many.
Reply
Fred Anderson
April 2, 2015 at 10:27 am
Sherry/Don/Rick: It is with a heavy heart I read your Mom’s obite. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. I am sure you have many good memories of your Mom that you will continue to share with your children and grandchildren.
Reply
Jerry Jerrett
April 4, 2015 at 12:21 pm
Betty was a fantastic lady. She was kind and loving, and I will continue to cherish my memories of her.
Reply
Mike Booth
April 4, 2015 at 12:38 pm
Betty was a wonder person. I loved riding her school bus it was such a joy. Prayers for her and the rest of the family. I am sorry for your loss.
Reply
Delores Denning
April 7, 2015 at 12:16 pm
Hello Aunt Betty’s family,
I send my sincere sympathy on the passing of dear Aunt Betty.
My mom, Evelyn, named Betty and was her god-mother.
Aunt Betty took care of me many times as I grew up.
We had many long, wonderful conversations.
I really enjoyed her company.
I will cherish her and the good memories.
May she rest in eternal peace,
Love, Delores Denning – Waterford MI
Reply
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She was born May 6, 1922 in Wayland Township, the twelfth of thirteen children of the late William and Mary Caroline (Holderle) Wahmhoff. On August 30, 1941 she married Richard Meacham who passed away in 1990. She always loved music and played many instruments without ever having a lesson or learning to read music. In her early years, before WWII, she and Richard formed a band and played country music at the Otsego Grange Hall. Betty had worked as an aide at Alamo Nursing Home and had also driven bus for Otsego Public Schools at Alamo Valley School. She loved doing crafts, gardening, camping, raising her five children and later spending time with her eight grandchildren.
Surviving are her children, Janice Gerhart, Sherry (Donald) Hurlbut and Richard Meacham; seven of her eight grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren and 8 great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Richard; two daughters, Bonnie Esman and Karen Clingan; a granddaughter, Tammie Moorlag and her husband, Joe; daughter-in-law, Sharon; sons-in law, Harvey and Bob and by all twelve of her siblings.
Friends may visit with Betty’s family Wednesday, April 1, 2015 from 6-8 P.M. at the Winkel Funeral Home, Otsego where a Funeral Celebration of Betty’s life will be held Thursday at 11:00 A.M. with Celebrant Bill Rose officiating.
Burial will follow at Green Bower Cemetery in Alamo Township.
Contributions in memory of Betty may be made to Alamo Nursing Home or
Gentiva Hospice.
Messages of condolence may be posted at www.
WinkelFuneralHome.
com
Offer Condolence for the family of Elizabeth E. Meacham
Condolence Messages
Jerry and Judy Shumaker
March 30, 2015 at 1:52 pm
To Sherry and Don, Jan, and Rick, and your families. We are so very, very sorry for the loss of your Mom. She was a very special lady and was loved and admired by all who knew her. She truly will be missed by her family and so many other people who got to know her through the years. She is with your Dad again and she is now an angel who will watch over all of you forever and ever. We hope that your fond memories will help guide you through your grief in the coming days, months, and years. Take care now.
Reply
Toni Mast
March 30, 2015 at 5:44 pm
Sherry: I am so sorry for your loss. I lost my mom a year ago in April. Please remember that her love for you and memories will be with you forever, and you can talk to her anytime you want. love, Toni
Reply
Judith Hiemstra-Bronson
March 30, 2015 at 9:09 pm
So sorry for your loss. I remember Betty as always with a smile and always wanted a hug.
Reply
Mike and Agnes Vanarsdal
March 31, 2015 at 6:41 am
Sherry and family, our very deepest sympathy. May God’s Grace be with each of you. Hugs!
Reply
Dixie Caldwell-Dalrymple
March 31, 2015 at 8:11 am
Sherry/Don/Jan/Rick:
Sorry to hear of Betty’s passing. She always had a smile and a hug for everyone no matter how long it had been since you saw her last. It’s been a very long time since our family (since 1957/58) has lived across the street from your mother. It’s funny how people stay connected over the years. She’s at peace.
Reply
John C Pullen
March 31, 2015 at 6:07 pm
Sherry as I read your mother’s Obituary I notice your mother was born just 5 days after my father was born in 1922 in Wayland. I wonder if they knew each other growing up?
My thoughts and prayers go out to you at this time. My Dad died only a month ago and I know how difficult this time is.
John
Reply
Susan (Jerrett) and Tom Sawasky
March 31, 2015 at 8:23 pm
What an amazing lady. She was such a wonderful bus driver; so loving. She had an infectious smile and l looked forward to seeing her every day. One thing that has always stayed in my memory….The first day we were going to pick up black children (Darryl and Joy Russell), who had moved into our neighborhood . Betty stopped the bus before reaching their home. She knew we were unfamiliar with black children and she walked down the aisle and gave us all a loving talk about her desire for all of us to welcome the new children with open arms. I have no doubts that her little speech made a huge difference in all of our lives that day. As the years went by, I thanked her each time I saw her. I know she made a huge difference in mine.
Reply
Ken & Chris
April 1, 2015 at 1:06 am
Rick, Sherry and family.
We’re so sorry for your loss. You’re in our heart thoughts and prayers. God bless all of you.
Reply
Larry & Kathi Fuss
April 1, 2015 at 6:26 pm
So sorry to hear of your mom’s passing, Sherry!! Memories of fun at the Meachams! Loved watching your parents and mine square dancing, too! Prayers and thoughts are with you!
Reply
Kim & Bryon Sheldon
April 1, 2015 at 8:36 pm
Rick, Sherry, Jan & families, we were so sorry to read about Betty’s passing. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. Your mom was a great person and will be missed by so many.
Reply
Fred Anderson
April 2, 2015 at 10:27 am
Sherry/Don/Rick: It is with a heavy heart I read your Mom’s obite. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. I am sure you have many good memories of your Mom that you will continue to share with your children and grandchildren.
Reply
Jerry Jerrett
April 4, 2015 at 12:21 pm
Betty was a fantastic lady. She was kind and loving, and I will continue to cherish my memories of her.
Reply
Mike Booth
April 4, 2015 at 12:38 pm
Betty was a wonder person. I loved riding her school bus it was such a joy. Prayers for her and the rest of the family. I am sorry for your loss.
Reply
Delores Denning
April 7, 2015 at 12:16 pm
Hello Aunt Betty’s family,
I send my sincere sympathy on the passing of dear Aunt Betty.
My mom, Evelyn, named Betty and was her god-mother.
Aunt Betty took care of me many times as I grew up.
We had many long, wonderful conversations.
I really enjoyed her company.
I will cherish her and the good memories.
May she rest in eternal peace,
Love, Delores Denning – Waterford MI
Reply
Leave a Condolence
Cancel reply
Please share your message of condolence with the family, It will be visible to the public but your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked
*
Comment
*
Name
*
*
Δ
Obituary Notification Service
Enter your email address if you would like to be notified when a new obituary notice is posted:
Search Obituaries
How do I send a condolence
At the bottom of this page, you will find a condolence form. You will need to fill out some basic information prior to typing your message. (We will not share your e-mail address with anyone) Once you are finished, simply click the submit condolence button. The condolence will be approved before it is published to the web site.
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