Betty Jane (Reinhart) Nearhood

Betty Jane (Reinhart) Nearhood, 77, of Battle Creek died at her home, with her family at her side on Monday, June 8, 2015.

She was born in Morgantown, West Virginia on October 27, 1937 to Albert Noah and Annabelle (Meredith) Reinhart. Betty grew up in Bedford, Pennsylvania, where she was a 1956 graduate of Chestnut Ridge High School. She earned her Practical Nursing Degree from Lansing Community College. Betty loved geriatrics care and was employed at the Martin Luther Holt Home for over 24 years, prior to her retirement.

Betty Jane Reinhart was united in marriage to Edward F. Nearhood on July 27, 1957 in Osterburg, Pennsylvania. Surviving are her husband, Edward F. Nearhood; three children, Edward J. (Kat) Nearhood of Holt; Sue (Steven) Tink of Battle Creek; David (Deb) Nearhood of Owosso; six grandchildren, Samantha, Stevie, Taylor, Jon, Chaz and Tori; and three great-grandchildren, Abby, Blake and Riley. Betty was preceded in death by her brother, Albert Reinhart, Jr.

Betty enjoyed doing ceramics, was an avid Mickey Mouse Fan and appeared on the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse as a child. She liked to watch airplanes, go to air shows and the balloon championships. More than anything she loved spending time with her loved ones.

Friends will be received 6:00-8:00 p.m. today, Wednesday at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, 105 Capital Avenue NE, Battle Creek, MI 49017. Funeral services will be held at the funeral home 2:00 p.m. Thursday, June 11, 2015. Interment will be held at Ft. Custer National Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association. Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.