Betty Ruth (Engledow) Johnson
Betty Ruth (Engledow) Johnson
Betty Ruth (Engledow) Johnson, 87, Nappanee, died Satuday morning, March 19, 2016, at her residence.
She was born May 2, 1928, in Bloomington. She was the sixth and youngest child of Charles Richard Engledow and wife Anna (Mesmer) Engledow. Her father died when she was just five months old.
Betty attended elementary and high schools in Bloomington and graduated from Jefferson High School, Lafayette, in 1946. She attended Indiana University, Bloomington, for two years, then married William Alan Johnson, a third-generation pharmacist, in 1950 at United Methodist Church, Nappanee. The Johnsons were the parents of three children.
Always active in Nappanee, Betty was a 50-year member and past Worthy Matron of Order of the Eastern Star, a more-than 60-year member of Current Club and past president/secretary of the club.
Betty and her family were all active members in the founding and participation of Nappanee Civic Theater. She worked 12 years as a fashion show writer/narrator for “The House Across the Street” boutique and 12 years as advertising manager for LJ Wagner Home Interiors, Nappanee.
The Johnsons traveled extensively in Europe, the Philippines and all 50 states and Betty gave programs and wrote news articles about their travels. After her husband’s death in 2008, she did volunteer work for the Nappanee Public Library, conducted tours in the Heritage Center Museum and served 23 years on the Nappanee Historic Association, where she did research and wrote articles on the town’s historic founders, families and homes. Betty was also active in the United Methodist Church, serving in the thrift shop, church circles and prayer groups. She was a member of the church for more than 60 years.
She is survived at this time by her and Bill’s children: Richard Scott Johnson, Sahuarita, Ariz., Suzanne (Kevin) Cool, Nappanee, and Brian (Trish) Johnson, Bonners Ferry, Idaho. Also surviving are three grandchildren: Erica Johnson, San Francisco, Calif., Tasha-Allen Johnson, Tacoma, Wash., and Nathanial Cool, Nappanee and Purdue University, his grandfather’s alma mater.
Betty was pre-deceased by three brothers and two sisters: James, Edward and Russell Engledow, Lucille Stanger and Helen Price.
Following Betty’s wishes, cremation will take place and a memorial service will take place at a later date.
Thompson-Lengacher & Yoder Funeral Home, Nappanee, is in charge of arrangements.
