Bettie Jean Whitmore

Bettie Jean Whitmore, 83, of Dowagiac, passed away on Sunday, April 15, 2018, at Millers Assisted Living. A Celebration of Life Services will take place on Friday, April 20, 2018 at 12 PM at Clark Chapel, 405 Center St., Dowagiac, with Pastor Melody Wallace officiating. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family from 10 AM until the time of the service at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer’s Association Michigan Southwest Region, 200 Turwill Lane, Ste 6, Kalamazoo, MI 49006. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.clarkch.com. Bettie was born on September 16, 1934 in Dowagiac. She was born to Albert Dahlke and Nellie Allie and raised by her mother, step father, Ralph Fetters and grandparents, Charlie & Emmaline Allie. On June 4, 1951, Bettie married, Robert “Bob” Whitmore, in Cassopolis. They were happily married for nearly 53 years before his passing in 2004. For many years, she worked as a nurse’s aide for the Cass Co. Medical Facility before stepping back and beginning her true career as a hard-working mother and home maker. She was a proud member of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Dowagiac, where she enjoyed attending services and going to bible study classes. She also had a passion for gardening and knitting blankets. However, Bettie most loved spending time with her family. Her favorite times were spent going shopping, trying new restaurants and taking adventures with her grandchildren. She was a wonderful caring lady who will be missed dearly by all who knew her. Bettie is survived by her children, Thomas (Cheryl) Whitmore of Twin Lakes, Carol (Daniel) Benjamin of Dowagiac, and Bill (Sally) Whitmore of Dowagiac; grandchildren, Jennifer, Felicia, Travis (Ginger), Rebecca (Jerry), Tonya (Kenny), Tara, James, Brandi and Angie; great-grandchildren, Isabella, Star, Dominic, Mason, Jessica, Kamran, and 17 grandchildren from Bill and Sally Whitmore; great-great-grandchild, Jorge; and sister, Eileen Miller. Bettie was preceded in death by her grandparents; parents; sons, James Whitmore and Robert Whitmore, Jr; siblings, Morris Allie, Shirley Fetters and Doris Knox.