Betty J. Wells

Betty J. Wells, 84, of Benton Harbor, passed away peacefully Wednesday morning, February 14, 2007, at Lakeland Regional Medical Center in St. Joseph. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:30 A.M., Saturday, February 17, 2007, at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph with Pastor James Stilwell officiating. Burial will be at a later date at Crystal Springs Cemetery in Benton Harbor. Visitation with the family will be Friday evening, February 16, from 5-7 P.M. at the funeral home. Memorials may be made either to the Humane Society of Southwest Michigan or to Animal Aid. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Betty was born May 27, 1922, in Swayzee, Indiana, to Floyd & Ferne Newlon. She graduated from Sweetser Indiana High School in 1940 and was crowned Sweetser Tomato Queen of 1940. She married Samuel Wells on February 7, 1942 and together they had four children, Nancy, Cindy, Jim, and Rebecca. Betty and her husband moved to Michigan in 1948 when Sam accepted the job as City Engineer for the City of Benton Harbor. She was a “dedicated mother and homemaker” for a majority of her life. In later years, Betty worked at JC Penny and also at LECO. Betty will be remembered for her sense of humor, her wonderful meals, her generous and giving nature, and for her love of dogs. She will be sadly missed by her dog, Katie. Betty is survived by her children, Nancy J. (Daniel) Agnetta of Eau Claire, Cindy Wells of Saugatuck, and Jim (Peggy) Wells of Buchanan; and by two grandchildren, Samantha and Alex Wells. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Samuel in 1976 and by her daughter Rebecca in 1958.