Betty Jo Neesley

Betty Jo Neesley, age 89 years of Niles, Michigan; mother, grandmother, sister, avid golfer, bridge player, and home entertainer died peacefully Friday morning, June 28, 2024 at Brentwood of Niles following a brief illness. Her family is grateful for the kind and compassionate care provided by the staff at Brentwood and Caring Circle Hospice.

She was born on July 14, 1934 in Niles to Clifton W. and Josie L. (Gentry) McLaughlin, and was graduated from Niles High School. Her life’s vocation was caring for her husband and children, and providing a wonderful home for them. She lived in Niles until retiring with her husband to Florida in 1992, and returned to Niles in 2020.

Betty was a lifelong member of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Parish in Niles, and was a member of the Orchard Hills Country Club, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Niles Elks #1322. She enjoyed golfing at Orchard Hills, where she also played bridge, and continued to play bridge while in Florida. She as an avid reader, usually of mystery novels, and was a great hostess, entertaining family and friends at home, and they all loved her cooking. Her family always came first.

On December 26, 1953 at Christ The King Catholic Church in South Bend, Indiana, she married Patrick F. Neesley with whom she celebrated the remarkable Sixty-fifth anniversary of their wedding prior to his death on March 3, 2019. She was also preceded in death by her siblings, Bill McLaughlin, Mary Louise Withrow, and Patricia Beardslee.

Surviving family includes her children, Michael P. (& Karen) Neesley of Portage, Michigan, Cathy J. (& Patrick) Dowling of Niles, and Kelly A. (& Craig) Schau of Niles; grandchildren Jessica Neesley, Samantha Neesley, Brandon (& Jeni) Hood, Josh (& Willow) Hood, Casey (& Kelley) Hood, Caitlyn (& Kevin) Daus, Ryne Dowling, Jenna (& T.J.) Treat, Craig (& Kaprice) Schau, Jr. and Jayne (& Jamie) White; fifteen great-grandchildren; Betty’s sister, Rosella (& Terry) Davis of Niles, and Pat’s brother, Bill Neesley of Coldwater, Michigan, and many nieces and nephews.

The family of Betty Neesley is gathering privately at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 East Main Street in Niles for a recitation of The Rosary, led by Deacon John Putman of Saint Mary Parish. Committal Rites will be at Sarasota (Florida) National Cemetery. Online condolences and memories may be left at:

www.halbritterwickens.com

Betty clearly enjoyed life, and the people in her life. Playing golf and bridge, attending church and events at the Elks, and entertaining at home, she loved the people around her, especially Pat and their children, and all the grandkids and greats; fulfilling the command to love God and love people.