Bethyl Jean Ellenberger
Bethyl Jean Ellenberger was born in Port Huron December 11, 1941. She passed away at Medilodge of Cheboygan Friday, January 29, 2021 at the age of 79.
Bethyl will be sadly missed by her daughter, Lorrie Ellenberger of Vanderbilt; sons, Edward (Tammy) and Dan (Megan), both of Onaway; and the grandchildren she adored, Amber Ellenberger (Bob Garms) and Camryn Ellenberger (Desi Stiles), Connor and Lexi Ellenberger, and the twins, Chaise and Mike Coss; as well as her great-grandson, Bronsyn, who Bethyl lovingly referred to as “the baby.” She also leaves her sister, Shirley Wiczorek (Larry Scott) of Port Huron; a sister-in-law, Ella Roberts of Onaway; a brother-in-law, Fred Ellenberger of Onaway; her lifelong friend and companion, Carl Bailey; her neighbor and close friend, Sally Heythaler; as well as many nieces, nephews and friends. Bethyl was preceded in death by her husband, Ed, June 26, 1986; sister, Helen Fox; brother, Howard “Bud” Spencer; brothers-in-law, Larry Ellenberger, Sam Ellenberger and Bill Robers; and her parents.
One of four children born to Howard and Helen (McDonald) Spencer, Bethyl was raised in Port Huron. She married Edward G. Ellenberger March 16, 1958 in Port Huron and they made their home in Lake Orion before moving to Onaway in 1981. A licensed cosmetologist, Bethyl often gave haircuts and styled hair in the homes of those who were terminally ill or in some way unable to go out. Strong in her Christian faith, Bethyl enjoyed going to church on Sundays with her family. She belonged to St. Paul Catholic Church for many years and more recently attended Joy Community Church. Bethyl was a wife, mother, and homemaker with a passion for feeding people. A visit to Bethyl’s usually began with “Are you hungry?” and “Let me make something for you.” She often cooked extra dinner so she could send a plate to her neighbors. She loved feeding animals equally as well as she loved feeding her family, friends, and neighbors. Bethyl enjoyed watching deer, birds, and any little critters that came to her yard to eat the food she put out and the horses were well fed too! She enjoyed walks through the woods, fishing at the pond and deer hunting. Blessed with the “gift of gab,” Bethyl was a great conversationalist. She could strike up a conversation with anyone, anywhere! Somehow in a matter of minutes she was able to learn a complete stranger’s life story and always seemed to have a connection with them or coincidentally know a common person. Bethyl enjoyed country music, loved to dance, and enjoyed attending the tractor pulls held in Onaway each summer. It is questionable if she ever really watched the tractor pulls as she had many friends and family to catch up with and many new people to meet!
Bethyl loved her family deeply and without cond
Visitation will be held at Chagnon Funeral Home Saturday, February 6, from 4 – 8 p.m. Visitation is limited to 25 guests at a time and masks will be required. A graveside service will be held in the spring at North Allis Township Cemetery.
Those planning an expression of sympathy please consider a donation in memory of Bethyl to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Arrangements were in care of Chagnon Funeral Home.