BETTY HIATT

Betty JoAnne Purkey Hiatt, 91, of Wilmington, Ohio, passed away peacefully on May 9 at Continental Manor in Blanchester. She was born October 13, 1923 in Bloomdale, Ohio to the late Ralph and Reva Purkey of Bloomdale, Ohio. On November 9, 1947, she married Howard Alan Hiatt of Wilmington who preceded her in death. Mrs. Hiatt is survived by three daughters: Jan (Peter Nelson) Hiatt of Plymouth, MI, Lori (John) Hunt of Bastrop, Texas, and Midge (Michael Betuel) Hiatt of Winter Park, Florida; one grandson, Alex Nelson of Madison, WI; three step-grandchildren, Kathie Norris, Steven Hunt and Adam Betuel; and one sister, Cheryl Lanning of Drummond Island, MI. In addition, she is survived by nephews: Richard Baker of Temple Terrace, FL; Mike Denning and Chris Denning; as well as nieces, Carol Jo Templeman, Ann McCullough and Teresa Denning; and her special friend and caregiver, Debbie Hollingsworth; and adopted (unofficially) son Rob Mackerras of Australia. In addition to her husband and parents she was preceded in death by her sister, Lynette McCullough. She was a 1941 graduate of Bloomdale High School, and attended nursing school in Toledo, and Tiffin College. She worked during World War II as a secretary at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, and then a medical receptionist for the late Dr. Dalton Peele in Wilmington. Betty worked side by side with Howard, opening Hiatt Jewelers in 1950 until its closing in 2003. She had been a member of the Order of Eastern Star, the Clinton County Genealogical Society, and the Wilmington Historical Society. Her delicate ceramic painting that she enjoyed for many years with the late Elizabeth Williams was much admired. Funeral services will be 1:00 PM, Saturday, May 16, 2015 at the Reynolds-Smith Funeral Home, 327 N. South Street, Wilmington, Ohio with Timothy J. Rech officiating. Burial will be in Sugar Grove Cemetery. Friends of the family may call from 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM, Saturday May 16, 2015 at the Reynolds-Smith Funeral Home. Honorary pallbearers are Charlie Bush, Elton Burton, and John Hunt. A special thanks to the very caring, extraordinary staff at the Continental Manor in Blanchester and the extended Hollingsworth family. They truly enhanced her last years. We are grateful for the staff of Hospice of the Miami Valley for their outstanding emotional and spiritual care. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to the Clinton County Genealogical Society, P.O. Box 529, Wilmington, Ohio 45177 or to Hospice of the Miami Valley, 6820 Roosevelt Ave., Suite B, Franklin, Ohio, 45005.

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