Betty Lou Schooley

Schooley, Betty Lou (Bickel)

Betty Lou (Bickel) Schooley, 90, of Celebration, Florida, passed away peacefully on August 24, 2025. She was born in Goshen, Indiana, on December 14, 1934. Betty graduated from Goshen High School in 1953. During her high school years, she was an active member of several clubs and participated in various team sports. By example, Betty inspired others to achieve their highest potential. She married Roger W. Schooley on September 3, 1955. While raising their three sons, Betty pursued several higher education degrees. As a part-time student, she graduated with distinction from Purdue University, Fort Wayne, Indiana, in May 1972 with an Applied Science Degree in Nursing. She received her Bachelor of Arts with Honors degree from Saint Leo College, St. Petersburg, Florida, in Apr 1980. Betty earned a Master's Degree in Education from the University of South Florida in April 1983. She continued on to earn her Bachelor of Science (Summa Cum Laude) in Nursing in May 1985, also from USF. Seeking to escape Indiana's harsh winters, Betty encouraged her husband, Roger, to answer an ad in a trade magazine for a job opening in Florida. A trip to Florida for an interview started as an adventure, then culminated in the family moving to St. Petersburg, Florida, in July 1972. That is where Betty began her career as a registered nurse, working in many different areas of nursing, including cardiac care, geriatrics, and intensive care. As Roger's career advanced, in 1977, the family moved to Crystal River, Florida, establishing their eventual retirement location. Betty was a member of the Crystal River Community Church in Crystal River, Florida, and the Central Christian Church in Elkhart, Indiana. She enjoyed volunteering and was an active member of the United Methodist Women's group in Crystal River. Upon retirement, Betty and Roger traveled frequently. Along with many ocean cruises, they visited many destinations, including New Zealand, Australia, Hawaii, and Alaska. Betty is survived by her husband, Roger W. Schooley; sons, Steven R. (Karen) Schooley, David R. (Anne) Schooley, and William E. (Diana) Schooley; grandchildren, Chad (Sara), Cris, Jonathan, Jeffrey, Matthew, and Meredith; and great-grandchildren, Brayden and Brinley. She was preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Lula Bickel, and brother, Arthur Dale Bickel. Betty will be inurned in Rice Cemetery, Elkhart, Indiana. Memorial services will be arranged at a later date.

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