Betty Shetler Frank

Betty Shetler Frank, 98, passed away at home, Saturday evening February 27, 2021 following a series of strokes. Betty, the only child of Col. John S. and Gertrude E. (nee Stofer) Shetler, was born August 5, 1922 at Grant Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. As her father served for the Ohio Adjutant General and was transferred to various postings, Betty was 9 or 10 before she realized that everyone did not move every two years. In between postings, the family always moved back to Bexley. As a result, she lived at 7 addresses in that community, one of them being a house designed by architect Frank Packard, a friend of her father’s. Betty started school at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas where her father attended Command and General Staff School. Her school bus was a wagon pulled by a mule. Returning to Bexley, she attended the Main Street School for grades 2 through 4. She attended the 5th grade in Toledo while her father was the Relief Administrator for Lucas County during the Great Depression, before returning to Bexley for 6th and 7th grades. Betty attended 8th through 11th grades in Chevy Chase, Maryland while her father was posted to Washington, D.C. The family moved back to Bexley and she graduated from Bexley High School in 1940. She attended the Ohio State University, graduating in 1944 with a degree in Home Economics, after which she became a Federal Food Inspector in California. Following that position, she returned to Bexley and worked in a physician’s office as well as volunteering in the costume area with Player’s Club (which eventually became Player’s Theater). There she met Bill Frank. They married November 26, 1949. Five years later, they purchased their home in Bexley where she lived for 66 years. Betty was an accomplished seamstress, making the costume worn by Laura Lee Schaeffer when she won the title of Miss America. She was also extremely skilled in all areas of needlework, belonging to the Needlecraft Guild as well as TNNA. After working in two needlework shops, she opened her own yarn shop working into her early 90’s. Betty volunteered for several organizations, most notably Franklin Park Conservatory from which she was awarded a Lifetime Membership for her volunteer service hours. She was a member of Psi Chapter of Alpha Xi Delta at OSU and served for a number of years as an ad hoc member of their House Corporation. An active volunteer for Beaux Arts of the Columbus Museum of Art, Betty assisted with children’s workshops and served on various Beaux Arts Ball committees. Betty met adversity with strength and grace, whether it be tongue cancer or house fire, she emerged and grew stronger providing an example and role model for many. She loved to travel and experience new adventures from hiking into Carlsbad Caverns and riding a bicycle down the side of Mt. Haleakala to ziplining at The Wilds for her 94th birthday. She took advantage of every opportunity as she said she “might not pass this way again”. Mom was preceded in death by her parents, 8 sets of aunts and uncles, and her husband William H. Frank (1991). She is survived by her daughters, Debbie Halstead (Tom) and Mindy (Glenn Redick). Her talent, resourcefulness, creativity, energy, loyalty and tenacity inspired all who met her. No one could have a better friend. “See you later alligator” As she strongly felt that she should be useful in both life and death, Mom has bequeathed her body to the College of Medicine, Division of Anatomy at the Ohio State University. There will be a graveside service when her service to the University has been completed. The family wishes to thank the staff of Visiting Angels and Heartland Hospice who made it possible for her to remain in her home. In lieu of flowers the family invites financial contributions in her memory to Franklin Park Conservatory, 1777 East Broad Street Columbus, Ohio 43202: fpconservatory.org/giving, scrolling to “tribute gifts” click “donate”.  

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