She was born on October 29, 1940 in New Madison, Ohio, the daughter of the late Lowell and Maxine (Higgs) Emrick.
Betty was a 1958 graduate of New Madison High School. She and her husband raised their family in Arcanum, where she was very involved with various school and community activities with her children. She was a member of Abbottsville United Methodist Church, where she was active in various leadership roles. She owned B-J Ceramics in Arcanum for 30 years. She made cross-stitch artwork and loved to enter them in the Darke County Fair, winning numerous ribbons for her talent. Betty had a massive stuffed bear collection, and her wish was to have them donated to various charities for children.
She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Roger Whittaker of New Madison, whom she married on October 7, 1962 at the New Madison United Methodist Church; her daughters, Annette (Doug) Pepple of Greenville, Karen (Bill Walter) Whittaker of Dayton, Ohio; her twin sons, Jerry (Susan) Whittaker of Greenville, and Larry (Stephanie) Whittaker of Douglasville, Georgia; her grandchildren, Nathan (Shelby Netts) Pepple, David Pepple, Maggie (Anna) Pepple, Billy (Tammy) Floyd, Angela Floyd, Elizabeth Whittaker; her great granddaughter, Sara Weyant; and many loving extended family and friends who will miss her dearly.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 10:30 AM on Monday, May 7, 2018 at Tribute Funeral Homes, New Madison Campus, with Pastor Eric Fee officiating. Burial will follow in the Greenmound Cemetery.
The family will receive friends on Sunday, May 6, 2018 from 2 PM to 4 PM at the funeral home.
The family requests that memorial contributions be given to State of the Heart Care, 1350 N. Broadway, Greenville, Ohio 45346 or to James Cancer Center, 460 W 10th Ave, Columbus, OH 43210.
Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.tributefuneralhomes.com.