Elizabeth "Betsy" L. (Boehm) Hileman

Elizabeth L. "Betsy" Hileman, age 72 of Defiance, passed away surrounded by her loved ones on Sunday, January 18, 2026, at CHP Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice Center.   

She was born in Cleveland Heights, Ohio on July 31, 1953, to the late Robert and Jane (Thomas) Boehm. Betsy was a 1971 graduate of Defiance High School and earned her Bachelor's degree in American Studies from Heidelberg College in 1975. On May 24, 1975, she married Donald Hileman, who survives. 

Betsy was a faithful member of St. Paul United Methodist Church, where she worked for a couple of years. She worked at the Defiance Public Library for many years and enjoyed working and volunteering at Ark Preschool. Betsy was President of United Methodist Women, a member of the United Methodist Quilters, and the Defiance Society of Artists. Betsy shared her talent and love for art in her paintings. She painted beautiful pictures of her travels and also various landmarks of the Defiance area. She loved to travel, especially to England and Lakeside, Ohio, which was a very special place to her. She loved being with her family and cherished her grandchildren. Betsy will be greatly missed by her family and many good friends and colleagues.  

Betsy is survived by her loving husband, Don Hileman of Defiance, her children, Anne (Raynaldo) Garcia of Defiance, James (Kumi) Hileman of Chicago, IL, and Alys (Brad) Davis of Cleveland, OH. She also leaves behind eight grandchildren, Dylan, Gavin, Breckin and Brynn Hale, Keiko and Yuki Hileman, and Maeve and Nora Davis, her sisters, Jennifer Gaglianello and Alicia Tucker, and brother, Thom Boehm. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Jane Boehm.

Visitation will be held from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm on Thursday, January 22, 2026, at Schaffer Funeral Home in Defiance. A funeral service will be at 11:00 am on Friday, January 23rd at St. Paul United Methodist Church, with Pastor Kimberly Orr officiating. Betsy will be laid to rest in Riverside Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to Ark Preschool The Jane Boehm Scholarship Fund or Alzheimer's Association.

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