Betty Louise Ickes

Betty Louise Ickes, age 89, of Dover, passed away Sunday, August 1, 2021 in Westlake, Ohio.

Born November 11, 1931, in Dover, she was a daughter of the late William C. and Wilma P. Kappeler Schupbach. Betty graduated in 1949 from New Philadelphia High School where she was a member of the marching band. She went on to attend New Philadelphia’s Union College of Commerce. Later, as part of her career path, Betty studied at the Ford Motor Institute, Dearborn, Michigan, and at Reynold & Reynolds, an automobile leasing and accounting firm in Dayton. She married James R. “Jim” Ickes in Greenup, Kentucky on July 8, 1950. The couple reared two sons and shared 64 years of marriage prior to Jim’s passing on June 4, 2014.

Betty retired from Dave Walter Volkswagen and BMW in Akron after 36 years as an automotive accountant and office manager. Previously, she was employed by Eckert Ford, Sugarcreek, Humphries Trucks, New Philadelphia, and Canton Chrysler-Plymouth. Betty earned many accounting-related awards from Ford, Chrysler and Volkswagen.

She was a member of St. John United Church of Christ, Strasburg, where she prepared communion for many years, belonged to the handbell choir, served as greeter and on the worship, music, altar, fellowship and search committees. Additionally, Betty served as treasurer of the church’s Seasoned Seniors luncheon group.

Betty was a member of the American Business Women’s Association for 25 years, serving in all offices and on all committees. She was named the organization’s Woman of the Year in 1975 at the national convention in Cincinnati. Betty was a member and treasurer of the Tuscarawas County Senior Citizens of Memorial Hall in Dover, and was a member of the Tuscarawas County Senior Center as well as the Strasburg AARP. She served on the advisory council for Bank One and Classic One Bus Tours.

Betty volunteered at Union Hospital for many years and received the Helen Hostetler Lifetime Achievement Award. She also volunteered for Hospice of Tuscarawas County (now Community Hospice), and for Strasburg’s Share Program. In her younger years, Betty was a Cub Scout den mother and taught Bible School at the First United Church of Christ in New Philadelphia. She served as secretary of the PTA at New Philadelphia’s Front Street Elementary School and at Park Elementary School in Dover. Betty was also a member and served as president of the Dover Mother’s Club.

She is survived by her sons, James R. (Linda) Ickes Jr. of North Olmsted, and Kevin C. (Christa) Ickes of Dover; her grandchildren, Shari (Brian) Insley, Adric, Nanci, Curtis, Jeffrey (Jamie) and Kellyn Ickes; her great-grandchildren, Solomon and Isaiah Casler, David and Julia Insley; her sister, Sally Ann (Clem) Westbrook of New Philadelphia; her sister-in-law, Jeanne Ickes of Dover; her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Kenneth L. and Muriel Ickes of Tacoma, Washington; her nieces and nephews, Terry (Joy) Westbrook, Cindy Everett, Timothy, Brian and Karl J. (Leandra) Ickes, Susan (Clyde) Penrod, Gretchen (Bob) Hobart and Corrine K. (Bob) Buckley; her many great-nieces and great-nephews, and great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews.

Besides her parents, and her husband, Jim, Betty was preceded in death by her niece, Karen Ann Ickes; her nephew Alan Ickes; and her brother-in-law, Walter E. Ickes Jr.

Honoring Betty’s wishes, she will be cremated, and her cremated remains buried privately, with Jim, in Evergreen Burial Park, New Philadelphia.

The family suggests that contributions in Betty’s memory be made to St. John United Church of Christ, Strasburg, Hospice of the Western Reserve, Cleveland, or Community Hospice, New Philadelphia.