Betty Mcelhattan

Betty McElhattan, 94, of Franklin, passed away at 1:35 A.M. Tuesday, March 13 at UPMC Mercy Hospital, Pittsburgh.

She was born Feb. 1, 1924 at Mariasville, PA, daughter of Milford and Florence Miller Rhoads.

She married Robert G. McElhattan April 1, 1944 and had a loving marriage for 67 years until his death in 2011.

Surviving are daughters, Kay Tansey of Roanoke, VA, Sally Knipp and husband James of Pittsburgh, Sue Griffen and husband Dr. David of Springfield, IL, and Jane McElhattan of Franklin. Nine grandchildren, Thomas Tansey, Lisa Tansey Reed, Betsy Hetrick, Amy Hetrick Rouze, Elizabeth Griffen Harvey, Emily Griffen Franke, Gwen Griffen Redwood, Kelly Knipp Roadway, and 19 great grandchildren. Also surviving are son in law R. Dennis Hetrick, sisters in law, Sandy Rhoads and Mary Sobina and many nieces and nephews

She was preceded in death by her, brothers Eugene Rhoads and Glenn Rhoads, daughter June Hetrick, and grandson T.J. Hetrick.

She graduated from Salem High School, Lamartine, PA as Valedictorian in 1942 and attended Grove City College and Clarion State College majoring in business education. She taught high school in Ashland, St. Petersburg, and Keystone, worked in the Admission Office of Franklin Hospital and secretary in Purchasing Dept. Chicago Pneumatic Tool Co. She was baptized, confirmed, married and active member of Salem Lutheran Church of Lamartine , moving to Franklin in 1955 joining Grace Lutheran Church where she was a member of Miriam Circle of United Lutheran Church Women and Christian Education Committee.

Betty was involved with her daughters as a Brownie troop leader, president of Third Ward PTA. Betty loved music and played piano and violin and enjoyed reading, writing, researching and organizing. She was unwavering in meeting the special needs of daughter, Jane. She was a charter member of Franklin Fine Arts Council, Franklin Gardeners Assn., Historic Franklin Preservation Assn. and a board member of Franklin Shade Tree Commission, Franklin Salvation Army, Goodwill Industries Auxiliary of Venango Co., Venango Co. Blind Assn., Oil Heritage Region Conferences, Applefest and president and 45 year member of Civic League of Franklin, co-chaired Ethnic Days in Franklin and World Day of Prayer.

Mrs. McElhattan was a supporting member of Venango Co. Historical Society, Franklin Public Library, DeBence Music World, Barrow Civic Theatre, Preservation Pennsylvania, National Trust for Historical Places and Special Olympics. Special honors were given: Franklin's Woman of the Year, 1988, Preservation Awards by Oil Heritage Alliance and Historic Franklin Preservation Assn., State Preservation Award in 1994 by Preservation Pennsylvania, Urban & Community Forestry Award in 1999 for municipal tree restoration by PA Forestry Assn. From 1974-1984 home was Dushore PA, Sullivan County where Dr. McElhattan served as Superintendent of Sullivan Co. schools.

Betty became an active member of Zion Lutheran Church, Dorcas Circle of Lutheran Church Women, and Alter Guild and church dinners. A 4H leader and president and member of Dushore's Tuesday Book Club, a Federated Woman's Club and president of Bradford-Sullivan Co. Federated Women's Clubs. Betty was a 2500 hour volunteer at Robert Packer Hospital, Sayre, PA. Retirement in Franklin brought happy days of travel, community projects and family.

Funeral arrangements entrusted to Huff Funeral Home & Cremation Services Inc., 312 West Park St. Franklin where family and friends are welcome from 10:00 A.M. - 12:45 P.M. Saturday.

A funeral service will be held at 1:00 P.M. Saturday in the funeral home chapel with Judy Lamb, Vicar of Grace Lutheran Church of Franklin, officiating.

Interment will follow at Salem Cemetery in Lamartine.

Memorials can be made to Salem Lutheran Church, Lamartine, PA, 16375 or Grace Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 325 Franklin, PA 16323.

Online condolences and flowers may be sent to the family by visiting www.HuffFuneral.com