Alfred L. Betts

Wednesday, August 6, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. at Waters Funeral Chapel, 500 S. Main Street in Vandalia, Missouri 63382.
Officiating will be: Rev. Bob Hoehn.
Music provided by: chapel music.
Interment will be in the Bowling Green Cemetery.
Pallbearers: Gary Nichols, David Branstetter, Larry Meyer, Ron Stallcup, Andrew Grote and Duane Burnett. Honorary pallbearers: Al Wortman and John Jamison.

Alfred Lewis Betts passed away at 10:40 a.m. on Saturday, August 2, 2008 at the Moore-Pike Nursing Home in Bowling Green, Missouri. Mr. Betts was a lifelong area resident, having spent half of his life in Bowlng Green and half in Vandalia. He graduated from Bowling Green High School in 1926 and farmed for several years in the Bowling Green area. He also had worked for several years at the Hercules Plant in Louisiana, Missouri. Mr. Betts and his family moved to Vandalia where he started the Betts Furniture Company located on North Main Street in Vandalia. After operating the furniture company for many years, Mr. Betts sold the business and retired. He still worked part-time for several years with the Waters Furniture Store in Vandalia. Mr. Betts was a member of the First Baptist Church in Vandalia where he served as a deacon and Sunday school teacher. He received his 50 year pin as a Master Mason of the Phoenix Masonic Lodge #136 in Bowling Green on April 16, 1989. He was also active in the Eastern Star and his hobbies included antique clocks, photography, fishing and spending time with his family. Mr. Betts also played the baritone and enjoyed singing in the church choir.

Born: December 15, 1908 in Rockport, Illinois the son of Lewis F. and Ella C.(Erickson) Betts.

Married: Mary Blanche Shy on June 19, 1937 in Bowling Green; she preceded him in death on September 13, 1992.

Survivors include: two grandchildren: David Branstetter of Strafford, Missouri and LeAnna Meyer of rural Bowling Green, Missouri; son-in-law: Joe Branstetter of Ozark, Missouri; five great-grandchildren: Paula Branstetter and Jennifer Baty both of Republic, Missouri; Joelle Meyer, Jessie Meyer and Emma Meyer all of Bowling Green.

Preceded in death by: wife, Mary Blanche; one daughter: Sharon LeAnne Branstetter who passed away on March 11, 1985; one sister, Mildred and one brother, Lawrence Betts.

Memorials are encouraged to the Pike County Home Health Hospice or to St. Louis Children's Hospital Foundation, One Children's Place, St. Louis 63110.