TORRINGTON – A “Celebration of Life” for Betty Jo Hertzler, 90, will be 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 18, 2019, at the First Wyoming United Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Bruce McBurney officiating. Betty Jo passed from this life on Jan. 9, 2019, at Regional West Medical Center in Scottsbluff, Neb., and her earthly body has been cremated. The ashes will be inurned in Valley View Cemetery following the service.
Memorials may be given in her name to the church or donor’s choice. Arrangements are by the Colyer Funeral Home and condolences may be sent to www.colyerfuneralhome.com.
Betty Jo was born Jan. 25, 1928, the fourth of five children born to Harry A. and Maud A. (Bright) McDaniel in Torrington. She attended elementary school in Lingle and Torrington, graduating from Torrington High School in 1945. After attending college in Muskingum, Ohio, Betty Jo and her sister Vena taught in a rural school called Katzer for one year.
On June 29, 1947, she married M.L. (Bud) Hertzler in Torrington. She went to live on the Hertzler farm southwest of Veteran. Three sons were born to Betty Jo and Bud. They were Gary Lee in 1948, Gregory Lloyd in 1950 and Dean Brent in 1955.
She was a member of the First United Presbyterian in Torrington at a young age. She taught Sunday School, served on the Trustees, was an Elder, was Church Treasurer for 12 years and was Treasurer of the Wyoming Presbyterian Women and the local Presbyterian Women.
Music was a major part of Betty Jo’s life. She studied voice for many years. She sang in the church choir, starting at age 13. She sang for weddings, funerals, and participated in church services and community musicals. She was a member of “Friends of Music.” She served as State President of the Wyoming Federation of Music Clubs and was a Board Member of the National Federation of Music Clubs.
Betty Jo served as President of the Veteran Community Extension Club, Veteran American Legion Auxiliary and the Goshen County Farm Bureau Women. In 1975 she was elected to the Wyoming Farm Bureau Board of Directors. She was also past President of PEO, Chapter AK.
Surviving Betty Jo are son Dean and wife Jeanette of Veteran, son Gregory and wife Diana of Perth, Australia, grandson Joshua and wife Ashley, granddaughter Miriam, great-grandchildren, Madison and Everett all of Denver, Colo., seven cousins and 18 nieces and nephews.
Preceding her in death were her husband Bud, son Gary Hertzler, grandson Denton Hertzler, daughter-in-law Christine Hertzler, brothers Ward E. McDaniel and Robert A. McDaniel, sisters Vena Runyan and husband T. Wayne and Roberta Noble and husband Harold.
A reception will be held in the church parlor following the inurnment. Please fill free to stay in the church parlor until the family returns.
