The gentle, kind, loving spirit of Betty Jean Bodmer passed away quietly Aug. 16, 2011, at 10:35 a.m. following a brief battle with a cruel and devastating brain tumor.

One of seven children born to Marvin and Sarah Ritchie, of Riverside, (Robert Ritchie, Anne Hobbs, Joyce Servert, Andy (Junior) Ritchie, Roger Ritchie and Baby Linda Lou (who passed in infancy)), she was born Aug. 20, 1950, in Mount Sterling, Ky.

She married her one true love Timothy A. Bodmer on Aug. 3, 1968, and he gave her the life she dreamed of, being a wife, mother and grandmother. She lovingly raised her four daughters Angela (William) Stull, Donna (Eddie) Burke, Becky (Jeff) Sykes and April (Jeff) Belnap.

She truly enjoyed her cottage home, garden, flowers, butterflies, birds and her puppy Maddie Mae, but her pride and joy was her nine grandchildren (Sean, Autumn, Isaac, Bethany, Charity, Jackson, Penny, Steve and Dane). She loved every minute with them and could be found playing dress-up, Barbies, singing, dancing, and being their captive audience any day of the week.

Some of her fondest memories were summers spent in Indiana with her cousins, vacations with her mother and sisters and family vacations to Rhode Island and Michigan.

Never an unkind thought or word was spoken. She was gentle and loving and saw beauty in everything. She made everyone around her feel smart, special, talented, creative and beautiful (even if they weren’t), and was loved even more for it.

Her home was a cozy nest where tears were dried, boo-boos kissed and broken hearts mended. Everyone who entered was welcome and cared for.

Until we meet again in another time another place, we will live in the glow of her love and the wonderful memories she gave us.

Her broken-hearted family would like to thank all of the doctors, nurses and aides at Kettering Hospital (especially Brenda who treated her like family and comforted us all), the nurses, aides and staff at Koester Pavilion (especially Heather and Jane) and all of the nurses and aides from Vitas Hospice (especially Cindy) who made her last days comfortable and full of love.

A viewing will be held Friday at Frings and Bayliff Funeral Home, 327 W. Main Street, Tipp City from 4-8 p.m.

Funeral Services Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at Victory Assembly of God Church, 4645 S. Co Rd 25A Tipp City.

Burial will be at Poplar Hill Cemetery in Vandalia followed by reception at The Upper Room Church in Tipp City.

Contributions can be made in memory of Betty to Vitas Hospice, 3055 Kettering Blvd, Suite 320, Dayton, OH 45439. www.fringsandbayliff.com