Betty J. Blickenstaff

Betty Joan Coons Blickenstaff, 78, of Delphi, passed away Sunday, Jan. 13, 2008, at 5:40 a.m. at St. Elizabeth Healthcare Center in Delphi. She had been a resident there for the past three years and had been in failing health the past two months.

She was born Feb. 3, 1929, in Lebanon, to Jim and Mary Cranford Coons. She graduated from Burlington High School in 1945. Her marriage was to Robert Lee Blickenstaff in Delphi on Sept. 15, 1946, and he preceded her in death March 5, 1986.

Mrs. Blckenstaff was a member of Delphi Christian Church.

She worked for 10 years in the deli and as a cashier at Wallmann's Quality Foods in Delphi. She formerly worked at Bryant Manufacturing in Monticello for several years and as a house mother in a sorority at Purdue University for three years.

Mrs. Blickenstaff enjoyed ballroom dancing, sewing and knitting.

Surviving are a daughter, Diane High (husband: Bill) of West Hills, Calif.; two sons, Steve Blickenstaff (wife: Cheryl) of Delphi and Mike Blickenstaff (wife: Tammy) of Dyersburg, Tenn.; two sisters, Barbara Davis (husband: Charlie) of San Diego, Calif. and Mima Smith of Lititz, Penn.; 12 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Blickenstaff was preceded in death by a daughter, Roberta, and a brother, Jim.

Services are today, Wednesday, at 11 a.m. at Abbott Funeral Home in Delphi, and will be officiated by the Rev. Andrew Paris. Burial will be at I.O.O.F. Memorial Gardens in Pittsburg.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Elizabeth Healthcare Center or Delphi Christian Church. Envelopes are available at the funeral home.