Obituary of Betty Mayes

Betty Jane Dushane was born in Monroe on October 25, 1924. She was the fifth child of thirteen born from the union of the late William Charles and the late Elsie (Lagerman) Dushane. She attended Golden School. Betty married the love of her life George L. Mayes at the First Presbyterian Church in Monroe on February 6, 1948. She began her career on December 7, 1942 at River Raisin Paper Company. She would provide thirty-three years of service before taking a medical retirement. Betty was an avid bingo player and bowler. She enjoyed trips to the casino but loved working in her flower beds spending two hours or more each day. She enjoyed playing cards with her family and especially her sisters. She and George traveled through every state in the United States and Canada except for Alaska and Hawaii usually sharing their cross country jaunts with the grandchildren. Betty had an amazing sense of humor and astonished others with her wit. She never lost these gifts, and continued to put the needs of others ahead of her own even after her May cancer diagnosis. Betty age 88 of Monroe passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 21, 2013 at home with her loving family at her side. In addition to her parents her passing was preceded by her husband in 1999; six brothers: William, Norman, Loyd, Robert, Lawrence, and Jerry; four sisters: Lillian Roberts, Marcella Gekle, Lucille (Jo) Copi, and Donna Trombley. To cherish her memory she leaves two loving daughters: Linda (Jim) Suttles of LaSalle and Paula Gibson (Gary) Lange of Monroe; three beloved grandchildren: Scott Suttles of LaSalle, Jennifer Crumm her caretaker who made her home with Betty; and David Gibson of Monroe; three step grandchildren: Gary, Chris, and Kyle Lange all of Monroe; two sisters: Esther Straub of Monroe and Patricia Masserant of Newport. Friends may gather from 2:00-8:00pm, Wednesday, July 24, 2013 at Merkle Funeral Service, 2442 North Monroe (734) 384-5185. A Celebration of Her Life will be held at 10:00am on Thursday, July 25, 2013 also at Merkle's with the Reverend Roy Southerland pastor of Monroe Missionary Baptist Church officiating. Procession will follow to Roselawn Memorial Park in LaSalle for entombment. Memorial donations are suggested to the Monroe Missionary Baptist Church building fund. Online guests may leave words of inspiration and comfort, share a photo, or make a donation by visiting www.merklefs.com; Online Tributes page.