Frankfort — Betty L. Gaither, 73, of Frankfort, died Thursday, Sept. 13, 2012, at her residence.
Betty was born in Colfax on Aug. 18, 1939, the daughter of Lawrence and Allegra (Young) Merrill.
Betty graduated from Thorntown High School with the class of 1957 and was a member of the cheerleading team the year the school won the national championship.
On Dec. 13, 1981, she married Ernie Gaither; he preceded her in death.
She worked for National Seal, waitressed for different restaurants along U.S. 52 and Hankins Grocery Store in Thorntown for many years.
Her hobbies included quilting, baking cakes and pies, and fishing.
She is survived by her children, Elizabeth (Jerry) Barbee of Frankfort; Darlene Dardis of Greenwood; and Mary Fortune of Ft. Myers, Fla.; siblings Barbara (Harold) McPeake of Whitestown; Pat (Oscar) Howell of Lebanon; Keith (Rona) Merrill of Frankfort; Ronnie (Cynthia) Merrill of Thorntown; Whitey (Mel) Merrill of Crawfordsville; and Joyce Merrill of Thorntown; grandchildren Cora Kay Coffman; Navada Wayne Coffman; and Howard Coffman; six great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; siblings Leon Merrill, Donald Merrill, James Merrill and Mary Darlene Merrill; and granddaughter Heather Marie Coffman.
Family and friends will gather from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday, Sept. 17, in the Strawmyer & Drury Mortuary, 2400 N. Lebanon St., Lebanon. The Rev. Bud Moody will officiate her funeral service at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 18, at the mortuary.
Online condolences may be made at www.strawmyerdrury.com.
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