Richard Betker

Richard Betker, 87, of Stevensville, MI went to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday – May 2, 2021 at Lakeland Spectrum Health in St. Joseph, MI. Arrangements have been entrusted to Starks & Menchinger Chapel – 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, MI. Richard was born on Dec. 14, 1933 in Wola-Lisowska, Poland to the late Ludwig and Natalie (Dreger) Betker. Richard immigrated to The United States of America May 1, 1956 and served his country while in the U.S. Army. While on the ship enroute to the United States, he met Ruth Wegner whom he married on August 2, 1958 in Pittston, PA. They moved to St. Joseph, MI in 1959. Richard last worked at the Imperial Printing Company as a Maintenance Supervisor until his retirement in 1999. He was a charter member of the Oakridge Community Church. In addition to always being there to help anyone with a need, he volunteered at Wycliffe Associates in Orlando, FL and Lake Ellen Bible Camp, Crystal Falls, MI performing electrical, construction, and maintenance projects. Richard also attended a mission trip to Brazil to help build an orphanage. He loved to travel, camp and fish. He will be missed by his family and many friends. Richard is survived by his wife of nearly 63 years – Ruth; his two sons – Roland (Linnea) Betker of St. Joseph and James (Nancy) Betker of Marion, OH; grandchildren – Roxy, Keith (Kiersten), Kurtis (Allyssa) and Kayla; great-grandchildren – Alexandra, Parker, Wren and Layne; a brother – Waldemar (Gertrude) Betker and sisters – Edeltraud Rodemann and Inge (Karl-Heinz) Anfang all of Germany; and several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by 2 brothers and 3 sisters. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Friday – May 7, 10:00am, at the Oakridge Community Church in St. Joseph, with Pastor Scott Reeve officiating. Burial will follow at Hickory Bluff Cemetery in Stevensville. Visitation with the family takes place on Thursday – May 6, from 6:00-8:00pm at Starks & Menchinger Chapel. Memorial contributions may be made to Oakridge Community Church or Caring Circle Hospice. Friends wishing to leave the family a message of condolence may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com