Elizabeth J. "Betty" (Grafton) Burch

Elizabeth J. "Betty" (Grafton) Burch, age 81, of Battle Creek passed away into a New Life with her Father in Heaven on Monday morning March 5, 2019. She was born in Harrison County, Ohio on December 27, 1937, the loving daughter of Wayne and Thelma I. (Bair) McConnell. She graduated high school in Freeport, Ohio in 1955 and furthered her education at Asbury College in Wilmore, Kentucky.

Betty married John W. Anderson on June 17, 1956; he preceded her in death in 1964. She then married Rev. John O. Grafton, Jr. on July 9, 1966; he preceded her in death 1994. Betty then married Rev. Bruce C. Burch on December 29, 2002; he preceded her in death in 2013. She is survived by her children, Lori J. (Randy) Rheynard, Lynnette J. Bower, John W. (Suzanne) Grafton and Jim (Kim) Grafton, all of Battle Creek; a brother, Jim (Deb) McConnell of Dennison, Ohio; nine grandchildren, Abbi Cuba, Andrew Rheynard, Adam Rheynard, Shelby Bower, Emily Bower, John C. Grafton, Seth Grafton, Riley Grafton, and Gage Grafton; and two great-grandchildren, Tucker Cuba and Evan Cuba.

Betty was a longtime member of Battle Creek Friends Church, served on the Board of Missions, and was a day care teacher at the church. She enjoyed playing the organ at church & home, singing, traveling, and spending time with her family.

The family will receive friends 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, March 7th at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care. Funeral services to celebrate Betty's life will be held 10:00 a.m., Friday, March 8th at Battle Creek Friends Church, 1305 Olive St, Battle Creek, MI 49014. Interment will follow at Floral Lawn Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Memorials directed to the Missions Fund at Battle Creek Friends Church, would be appreciated. Personal messages for the family and/or favorite memories of Betty may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.