Obituary of Betty Jean Schackmann

Bedford – Wife, mom, grandmother, friend, and spit-fire, Betty Jean Schackmann passed Monday, February 24, 2020 in Bedford at the age of 85. To those who knew and loved her, the world will never quite be the same. Betty leaves a loving family – her husband of 63 years, Donald Schackmann; daughters, Donna George (Randy), Cheryl Srygley (Tom), Annette Morris (Dave), and Juanita Thompson (Dale); siblings, Damon Elkins (Peggy) and Irma Dean (Elkins) Johnson; grandchildren, Laura Henderson (Michael), Geoff Morris (Erika), Melissa Richardson (Darrell), Michelle Hartman (Andrew), J.T. Srygley, Natasha Thompson (Steven Oropeza), and Nicholas Thompson (Jazmin); eleven great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her Mother and Daddy. Betty was born on August 8, 1934 in Magazine, Arkansas to Lelia and Buford Elkins. She graduated from Magazine High School and moved to Memphis, TN, where she met and fell in love with a dashing young sailor. After corresponding cross-country by letter for two years, they finally married in her parents’ living room. The couple moved to Chicago and welcomed four daughters. For the rest of her life she found fulfillment as a wife, mother, homemaker, and grandmother. She was an active and dedicated member of NARFE, The Stone City Squares and Rounds, Psi Iota Xi sorority, and Marshall Township Volunteer Fire Department. The passing of the family matriarch marks the end of an era. Her infectious laughter, her ability to make friends quickly, and her insistence we all have seconds will be so deeply missed. Visitation will be at 11:00 am on Saturday, February 29th at the Day & Carter Mortuary. Funeral services will follow at 2:00 pm. Friends and family are invited to share stories and special memories of Betty at this time. She will be interred at Cresthaven Memory Gardens and there will be no graveside service. Family and friends may express condolences at www.daycarter.com. The family would like to thank the caregivers at Stonebridge for their compassion and care. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Kidney Foundation or the Diabetes Assoc.