Elizabeth "Betty" Ann (Bilderback) Behringer

Elizabeth "Betty" Ann (Bilderback) Behringer, 91, of Defiance, passed away peacefully on Sunday morning, September 15, 2024 at her home with family by her side. She was born December 31, 1932, to the late Wayne and Ruby (Webber) Bilderback of Hicksville, Ohio.  
She was a graduate of Defiance High School Class of 1950, and a 1954 graduate of Defiance College, where she obtained her degree in Education.
On October 9, 1954 Betty was united in Holy Matrimony with Fredric J. Behringer at St. Michael’s Ridge, Defiance, OH., with Fr. Crawford officiating. They celebrated 63 years of marriage before Fred’s passing in 2018. They loved each other immensely. Betty and Fred were avid golfers and finding them on the golf course would be no surprise. Betty played in and won many golf tournaments over the years and she was very lucky with having had 4 Hole-in-Ones in her lifetime.  Fred was always amazed every time she got a Hole-in-one, he wasn’t as lucky as her, he only had 2.
Betty and Fred were a very social couple and they were invited to many gatherings and weddings. Even as they aged in years, they were usually one of the last couples to leave an event, often times outlasting their grown adult children.  
Betty was a loving mother to all five of her children, Lori, Mike, Lisa, Matt and Fred (II). She was a kindergarten teacher at Defiance Brickell Elementary for well over 30 years and loved all her students as her own.  She always remembered her teaching years fondly. Her Christmas tree was always adorned with the many, many Christmas ornaments she received throughout the years of teaching from her students. We were amazed how she never forgot the names of any of her students. She knew her kids.
Betty was a member of Auglaize Country Club, Defiance, Majestic Golf Course in Florida, The Ladies of The Elks, The Red Hat Society. She also played bridge for many years with her Bridge Lady friends. Betty was a talented seamstress and loved to sew Christmas ornaments for the grandchildren, a treasured memory for them now.  In 2021 Betty had a debilitating stroke leaving her unable to care for herself. She was able to remain in her home for the last 3 years thanks to the compassionate care of The Visiting Angels, who loved and cared for her and her home as if they were part of her family. Even after her stroke, Betty was determined to continue her tradition of making ornaments for her grandchildren, and so she did.  She taught her grandchildren what determination and perseverance are all about.   
Betty is survived by her daughter Lisa Steinberger of Louisville KY, and her sons, Mike Behringer of Kalamazoo MI., Matt (Sheana) Behringer, and Fred II (Cathy) Behringer all of Defiance, OH., and 12 dearly loved grandchildren, and 7 great-grandchildren.  
Betty was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Fredric J. Behringer, a daughter, Lori Behringer, and her sister Hilda Morse. 
Betty’s family would like to thank the Visting Angels and the Eucharistic Ministers of St. John's for their care, and to Hospice and the Hospice employees who cared for and comforted Betty in her final weeks. 
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 18, 2024 from 4:30 to 7:00 pm at Schaffer Funeral Home South, Lawson/Roessner Chapel (1753 S Clinton Street) in Defiance. A Memorial Service will be held from 7:00 to 7:30 pm.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 am on Thursday, September 19, 2024 at St. John Catholic Church, 510 Jackson Avenue in Defiance, with Fr. Dave Cirata officiating. There will be one hour of additional visitation before the service at the church. Betty will be laid to rest at Riverside Cemetery in Defiance.
Suggested memorials are to St. John Catholic Church, or Visiting Angels. Online condolences can be given at www.Schafferfh.com

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