Betty Eileen Shives, 92, of New Madison, Ohio passed away at 8:15 AM on Sunday, December 27, 2020, at the Brethren Retirement Community. She was born November 17, 1928, in Union City, Ohio, the daughter of the late Kenneth and Dorothy (Beam) Detamore.
Betty was married to Richard Shives for 67 years. He first met her as she was playing in a mud puddle at Hunchbarger Corners and he first asked her to marry him in second grade. Their first date (they were 13) was a class picnic and he picked her up driving his father’s Buick! She finally gave in and they were married on September 5, 1953. Their relationship was filled with laughter and love. She is survived by sons John (Renee Benanzer) Shives, David (Jill Waymire) Shives (both of Greenville), and daughter Anne (John) Hoenes of Centerville, Ohio; 7 grandchildren, Emily (Jay) Hartman, Rachel (Nathan) Silknitter, Margaret Shives, Clint Shives, Ashley (Dustin) Yount, Mary Hoenes, and Andrew Hoenes; and 12 great-grandchildren; brothers Billy Detamore of McComb, Ohio, and Phillip Detamore of Union City, Ohio; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She graduated as a Registered Nurse from Miami Valley Hospital in 1949, and achieved her Bachelor’s from Otterbein College in 1951. She was proud to be the third generation of her family to graduate from Otterbein.
Whenever you drove up their lane, you would often find Betty bent over in her flowerbeds working away. She always had a smile on her face when she looked up, especially if it were the grandkids. She and Dick began collecting and restoring antiques early in their marriage and their home was full to bursting and she loved it! Whether it was traveling abroad, showing a draft pony, or just sitting down for a meal with family she enjoyed every moment.
A private service will be held at Zechar Bailey Funeral Home in Greenville with Pastor Don Smith officiating. Burial will follow in Teegarden Cemetery. Condolences for the family may be expressed through www.zecharbailey.com.
