Weekly Record Herald

BODMER, BETTY JEAN (RITCHIE) - The gentle, kind, loving spirit of Betty Jean Bodmer passed away quietly August 16, 2011, at 10:35 A.M. following a brief battle with a cruel and devastating brain tumor. One of seven children born to Marvin and Sarah Ritchie, of Riverside, (Robert Ritchie, Anne Hobbs, Joyce Servert, Andy (Junior) Ritchie, Roger Richie and Baby Linda Lou (who passed in infancy), she was born August 20, 1940 in Mount Sterling, KY. She married her one-true-love Timothy A. Bodmer on August 3, 1968, and he gave her the life she dreamed of, being a wife, mother and grandmother. She lovingly raised her four daughters, Angela(William) Stull, Donna (Eddie) Burke, Becky (Jeff) Sykes and April (Jeff) Belnap. She truly enjoyed her cottage home, garden, flowers, butterflies, birds and her puppy Maddie Mae, but her pride and joy was her nine grandchildren (Sean, Autumn, Isaac, Bethany, Charity, Jackson, Penny, Steve and Dane). She loved every minute with them and could be found playing dress-up, Barbies, singing, dancing, and being their captive audience any day of the week. Some of her fondest memories were summers spent in Indiana with her cousins, vacations with her mother and sisters and family vacations to Rhode Island and Michigan. Never an unkind thought or word was spoken. She was gentle and loving and saw beauty in everything. She made everyone around her feel smart, special, talented, creative and beautiful (even if they weren't), and was loved even more for it. Her home was a cozy nest where tears were dried, boo-boos kissed and broken hearts mended. Everyone who entered was welcome and cared for. Until we meet again in another time another place, we will live in the glow of her love and the wonderful memories she gave us. Her broken hearted family would like to thank all of the doctors, nurses and aides at Kettering Hospital (especially Brenda who treated her like family and comforted us all), the nurses, aides and staff at Koester Pavilion (especially Heather and Jane) and all of the nurses and aides from Vitas Hospice (especially Cindy) who made her last days comfortable and full of love. Funeral services were held August 20 at Victory Assembly of God Church. Burial followed at Poplar Hill Cemetery. Contributions can be made in memory of Betty to Vitas Hospice, 3055 Kettering Blvd., Suite 320, Dayton, OH 45439.