Betty Ruth Riley Mair, 94, passed peacefully in her sleep on Friday, December 11, 2020, at Wabash General Hospital. She was the youngest of eight children born to Mary Ann (Hatfield) and Charles W. Riley in Owensville, Indiana, on January 22, 1926.
After graduating from Owensville High School in 1944, Betty attended Central Beauty College in Indianapolis, Indiana. Upon completion of college, she was employed by Marinella Beauty Shop in Princeton along with her sister Lorraine.
Upon return from the Navy, Bob Mair lived in Princeton. He spied his future wife sitting at the corner of a local restaurant. They were married six months later December 31, 1946. In 1949 they moved to Mt. Carmel, Illinois, where they settled and were active in the community and their church, Trinity United Methodist. As a 67 year member of Trinity, Betty kept very busy. She taught Sunday School, helped with Bible School, and provided food for the many meals served at the church. Betty decorated a table for their yearly church-wide birthday celebration. She held many church offices and attended Annual Conference for three years. As a member of the Deborah Circle for many years, she enjoyed the monthly meetings at other member’s homes, devotions, visiting, and of course, dessert.
Betty was a homemaker and active in her children’s school activities. She enjoyed planting flowers around their home. She also liked doing crafts. She and her sisters, Pauline and Lorraine, had many craft projects as well as sharing ideas and making more crafts. In addition, she knitted many afghans for her home and some to give to others. She was a very good seamstress. Betty made nice dresses and outfits for her daughter, Roberta.
Betty was a member of the Wabash General Hospital Women’s Auxiliary. She held the office of Treasurer for four years. Throughout that time, the old hospital was torn down and the new building was under construction.
The group oversaw getting donations and raising money for room furniture through the gift shop and for additional hospital purchases.
After their retirement, Betty and Bob spent sixteen winters in Florida. Betty was an avid card player, even enjoying pinochle into 2019.
During their 70 years of marriage Bob and Betty had a daughter Roberta Kay Talley and a son Scott Craig Mair (Jan Reiva). They also had a very special son-in-law, John Talley. They were blessed with four grandchildren, Brian (Jamie) Talley, Brent Talley, Adam (Ashley) Mair and Tyler Mair (Rachel Gibson). Even more blessing came with the births of their great-grandchildren Sam Talley, Will Talley, Clare Talley, Adam Mair, Jr. and Asa Mair.
Betty is survived by her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, brother-in-law, Chuck (Joyce) Mair and many special nieces, great-nieces, great-great-nieces, nephews, great-nephews and great-great-nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brothers, and sisters, including their spouses.
There will be a graveside service Saturday, December 19, 2020, at 2:00 p.m. at Highland Memorial Cemetery, 1827 College Drive, Mt. Carmel, Illinois. Please wear masks and practice social distancing.
Memorials may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church or Wabash General Hospital Women’s Auxiliary. Envelopes are available at Short Funeral Home or can be mailed to the funeral home at P.O. Box 397, Mt. Carmel, Illinois 62863.
The family hopes to have a celebration gathering out of care respect for her life, when Covide-19 is not an issue, so family and friends may visit, eat, and share memories.
Condolences may be made online at www.short-cunninghamfh.com
Short-Cunningham Funeral Home is honored to serve the Mair family.
