Betty Jean Millspaugh, 87, of Butlerville, IN, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in her daughter’s home in McAllen, TX. She was born in Jonesboro, IN, on December 29, 1936, to Verner Hunt and Helen (Hunt) Davis.
Betty Jean contracted polio at the age of three, while her father was serving in World War II, and her mother was working full-time. Her mother would pull her in a wagon to her grandmother Carrie’s for physical therapy. With much determination and dedication, Betty Jean was able to walk again! She carried that determination with her for her entire life.
Betty Jean graduated from Mississinewa High School. During high school, she caught the eye of a young boy named Freddie Millspaugh when he witnessed her make a half-court shot in gym class. It was love at first swish! They were married on September 4,1953, and shared 66 years together.
Betty Jean loved the Lord and was a precious Christian example. She was a gifted pianist and shared her gift of music as both church pianist and choir member. She also filled her home with music and passed her love of music on to her children and grandchildren. The family would often gather around the piano while Betty Jean played and the family sang.
She so appreciated the beauty of nature, loved being surrounded by flowers, and always wanted to know the names of birds. Her beautiful whistle even sounded like a bird.
Betty Jean was a loving wife, who was thoughtful, generous, always supportive, and adored by everyone. After raising her family, Betty Jean obtained her real estate license and worked alongside her husband, Fred, selling real estate, working auction houses, and various other business ventures. She was the secretary of the Purdue Extension Homemakers Club and member of Delta Theta Tau.
Survivors include her daughters, Debra (Medardo) Perez, McAllen, TX and Stacy (Mike) Marley, Marion; sons, Scott (Gloria) Millspaugh, Sweetser, and Matthew (Lisa Singleton) Millspaugh, Butlerville; daughter-in-law, Donna Millspaugh, Wabash; grandchildren, Nicholas Millspaugh, Ashley Millspaugh, Rebekah Crawford, Lauren Millspaugh, Stephanie Huff, Whitney Millspaugh, Rachel Coral, Jordan Combs, Joel Millspaugh, Meredith Millspaugh, MJ Marley, and Jagen Millspaugh; 16 great-grandchildren, and one on the way; sister, Verna (John) Rayman, Mansfield, OH; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Fred; father, Verner Hunt; mother, Helen Davis; step-father, Robert Davis; brothers, Tom Davis and Walter Hunt; son, Tony Millspaugh; granddaughter, Allison Millspaugh; and great-grandson, Lincoln Huff.
The family will receive visitors from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm on Friday, July 5, 2024, at Needham-Storey-Wampner Funeral & Cremation Service, Storey Chapel, 400 E. Main St., Gas City, IN 46933.
Immediately following the time of visitation, a service to celebrate Betty Jean’s life will begin at 1:00 pm. Burial will be at Riverside Cemetery, Gas City.
Memorial donations may be made to United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation, 8085 Saltsburg Rd., #201, Pittsburgh, PA 15239.
Memories may be shared online at www.nswcares.com.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Betty, please visit our floral store.
