Bette Loraine Athey Obituary

Bette Loraine Athey, 95, of Decatur, passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 29, 2024 at her home in Decatur. She was born October 15, 1928 in Highland Park, MI to William and Theo (Slaybaugh) Wylie.

The family will be celebrating Bette's life with a memorial gathering beginning at 10am until the time of service at 11am, Thursday, March 7, 2024 at Decatur Bible Church, 80797 M-51, Decatur, MI, Dr. Rev. Steven Pace officiating. Committal will follow at Lakeside Cemetery, Decatur. Memorial contributions may be given to Decatur Bible Church at the address above, or Centrica Care Navigators, http://www.centricacare.org or 7100 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo, MI 49009.

Bette was a natural caregiver. From her days as a candy striper, where she met the love of her life, Robert, to her children, and everyone else in between who was in need, you could count on Bette to be there to offer comfort, support and kindness. Family was everything to Bette. Her door was always open, leading to the Athey house being "the" neighborhood house; where you would be loved, encouraged, and always offered a meal. Bette and Robert wed in 1946 and shared 61 years together before Robert's passing in 2007. From that time on, Bette spent her winters in South Carolina with her daughters; time together that was treasured by all. Bette worked as a pharmacy technician in Decatur for 34 years before her retirement, and was a devoted member of Decatur Bible Church; their oldest member until her passing. Her Christian faith was strong, and she emulated God's love in all that she did.

Bette will be dearly missed by her children, Shirley (Keith) Lawrence, Duane (Kathleen) Athey, Karen (Tom) Whiting, Doug (Sandy) Athey, and Jayne (Norman) Karasch; her "honorary son", Steve Cerven; her grandchildren, Robert (Nannette) Lawrence, Judy (Gordon) Vliek, Sara (Shane) Montgomery, Michael (Kim) Athey, Jeffrey Athey, Erin (Isaiah) Tregloan, Wade (Jean) Athey, Brant (Chrissy) Athey, Kristen (Jeff) Brink, Scott (Heather) Whiting, Richard (Shauna) Athey, Carl Athey, Nicholas (Stefanie) Athey, and Kurt Karasch; her great grandchildren, Heather, Gavin, Jakob, Sara Jean, Amelia, Erin, Liam, Landon, Gus, Violet, Kaley, Ryan, Brooklyn, Callie, Jaxon, Addison, Sydney Kate, Rachel, Katelyn, Brady, Raeana, and Tanner; and her great, great grandchildren, Cooper, Maverick and one on the way, Goldie.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Robert Athey; her son, Scott (Cindy) Athey; her grandson, Steven Athey; her siblings, Helen Mauch, and Bruce Wylie; and her parents.