Neil Betz was the fifth child of five children born to George Washington and Lurah Armstrong Betz at the big, brick house on Town Road, Springport, Michigan. As a child, growing up on a farm during the depression era, hard work and innovation were characteristics developed.
Neil graduated from Springport High School in 1941. He then attended Michigan Technology University in Houghton, Michigan. World War II intruded, but Neil was denied entry into the military due to having rheumatic fever as a child. How ironic that he lived to be 98 years old and continued to cut wood, pull brush, and do construction into his mid-90’s.
Neil married Dorothy Seger on November 10, 1942, and they had 58 years together before Dorothy’s passing. To them were born six children, two were born in Texas, while the last four were born in Michigan. They were members and supporters of the Baptist churches in Springport and Eaton Rapids.
Neil worked at factories in Albion, went to Texas to do road construction, then returned to Michigan and worked at Kelsey-Hayes, was a partner in Bothwell Tool and Die, and, in 1966, went to Oldsmobile in Lansing where he finished his working career. Neil also had an oil pumping equipment cleaning business which gave sons Hugh, Owen, and Eric their summer jobs, too. The family raised many rabbits that were butchered and sold to local grocery stores.
After retirement, Neil and his sons enjoyed fishing. Neil started working for Christian drive-in movies at Devil’s Lake, Michigan, and in Florida as a handyman. After Dorothy’s passing, Neil continued his trips to Florida. It was on a trip in 2003 that he fell ill on the way south…perhaps from driving too long and drinking too much Mountain Dew. He ended up spending time at a hospital in Birmingham, Alabama. It was there he met Janet Wiggins, his nurse; and, four months later they were given a second chance at happiness, they were married June 7, 2003, resulting in almost 20 years together.
Neil was predeceased by his parents; brothers Ebon, Roscoe, and Chet Betz, and sister Lorna Blair; his first wife Dorothy and their sons Hugh and Owen and grandson Zach Betz, and Janet’s son-in-law Michael Winkles.
Neil is survived by his children - Eric (Beth), Jim (Eilene), and Dale (Tammy) Betz, Cathy (Darrell) Conley, and daughter-in-law Gayle Betz. He is also survived by his wife, Janet and her family – Faith (David) Symmons, Hope Thurman, Charity (Dwight Bentley) Richey-Bentley, and Joy Winkles. Countless grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and many friends will greatly miss their beloved Grandpa, Uncle, and friend, too.
A celebration of life service will also be held on Saturday, June 10, 2023, at Kilgroe Funeral Home located at 2219 2nd Avenue N in Pell City, Alabama, beginning at 11:00 a.m.
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