Elizabeth June Oyler

Elizabeth June Oyler, known affectionately as Betty, passed away on March 8 at Goshen Hospital at the age of 90. Born on August 12, 1935, in Birdseye, Indiana, to Laverne and Harry Leland, Betty grew up with a spirited nature that defined her life. She graduated from Huntingburg High School in 1953, where she excelled academically, played saxophone in the band, and served as a lively cheerleader.

After high school, Betty trained as an X-ray technician in Elkhart and worked at Johnson County Memorial Hospital and Logansport Memorial Hospital. Her skill and efficiency were widely admired; doctors frequently called upon her for challenging cases even when she was not on duty. While working in Franklin, she met Fred Oyler, and they married in Huntingburg on September 5, 1954. The couple later settled in Russiaville, where Betty began substitute teaching. Encouraged by her principal, she pursued higher education, earning a B.S. in Elementary Education from Indiana University in 1972 and a Master's in Education from Ball State. She taught at Western Elementary and Western Middle School for 25 years before retiring in 1996. Her dedication earned her the Outstanding Retiring Teacher award from the Indiana Council of Teachers of Mathematics, and she remained a beloved figure at Western, returning to substitute for another decade.

Betty and Fred shared a rich life together filled with bridge club gatherings, card games, and extensive travels to national parks and favorite destinations including Gulf Shores, Alabama, and Marco Island, Florida. Devoted Indiana University basketball fans, they taped games and attended whenever possible. They took great joy in supporting their grandchildren, faithfully attending birthdays, sporting events, concerts, and graduations. Independent, no-nonsense, yet full of spirit and warmth, Betty was deeply loved by her family.

She was preceded in death by her husband Fred in 2013, her parents Harry and Laverne Leland, her sister Jeanne Sakel, and her brothers David and Paul Leland. Betty is survived by her sister Carolyn Ostby of Louisville, Kentucky; her daughters Bethany Hartman of Elkhart, Indiana, and LeAnne Gormong of Arlington, Virginia; her son Tim Oyler of Anderson, Indiana; seven grandchildren, Cami Brubaker, Cara DuBois, Callie Patrick, Kristin Weiss, Karissa Simmons, Evan Oyler, and Lucas Oyler; and 19 great-grandchildren.