SHIRLEY A. (ARTZ) BETTINGER

Shirley A. (Artz) Bettinger, 89 of Perrysburg, passed away on Friday, April 12, 2024, at Hospice of Northwest Ohio. She was born at home in Perrysburg, on October 6, 1934, to Ralph J. and Edna (Hahn) Artz. She married her husband, Thomas A. Bettinger on November 5, 1955, at Zoar Lutheran Church, where she was a lifelong member. Shirley and Tom spent almost 65 years together until his passing in 2020.

Shirley worked at Tiedtke’s Department Store during high school and later for Rossford Ordnance Depot from 1952 to 1960. She was a member, outer guard and officer in the Ladies’s Oriental Shrine, as well as a member of OMDAS, Red Hat Society and the Organ Club. Shirley also was heavily involved for many years with Flower Hospital, as both a frog lady, sewing plush frogs for pediatric patients, and a member of the auxiliary board.

Shirley had a passion for music. Her favorite musician was Johnny Cash and she had cherished memories of visiting his home in Tennessee. Shirley played the saxophone and solovox. She started to play professionally at the age of 10 with her family band “Artz’s Orchestra” and for 33 years played at dances and other venues.

Shirley enjoyed knitting and sewing, but she mostly loved spending time with her granddaughter, Samantha. Shirley was a University of Toledo Rocket Fund contributor and season ticket holder for football and basketball games. She was well known at the games for her famous margaritas, which Lot 10 football tailgaters are very familiar with. She also loved watching her shows, which were the Jennifer Hudson Show and Family Feud with Steve Harvey.

Shirley is survived by her daughters, Joni Bettinger and Jami Bettinger; her granddaughter, Samantha Bettinger, and her “great granddoggers,” Lulu “Poopie,” Gigi, and several other furry grandbabies. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, and sisters, Jan (Ken) Bylow and Betty (Jerry) Henry.

Friends will be received on Wednesday, April 17, from 4 to 8 p.m., with a Dendarah Court memorial service at 7 p.m. in the Witzler-Shank-Walker Funeral Home, 222 East South Boundary Street, Perrysburg. Visitation will continue Thursday, April 18, from 10 to 11 a.m. in Zoar Lutheran Church, 314 East Indiana Avenue, Perrysburg. Funeral services will follow the visitation at 11 a.m. Burial will be held at Fort Meigs Union Cemetery.

Memorial contributions in Shirley’s name may be made to Shriner’s Hospital for Children, 3229 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229; Hospice of Northwest Ohio, 30000 East River Road, Perrysburg, Ohio 43551, and Zoar Lutheran Church. Online condolences may be left to the family at walkerfuner alhomes.com.