Betty Waser

Elizabeth (Betty) Eleanor Mullin was born on June 17, 1922 in Wadsworth, Ohio to Andrew B and Edith (Dial)
Mullin. She left this life on January 20, 2023. Betty is preceded in death by her husband, Wayne Weldon
Waser; son, Fredrick Wayne Waser; and grandsons, Aaron Waser and Benjamin Waser. She leaves behind
her 4 grandchildren, Bethany Hankinson, Amanda Smith, Stephanie Clark, and Douglas Waser; along 10
great grandchildren: Chase Himschoot,, Braden Himschoot, Emma Clark, Peyton Clark, Annalissa Hankinson,
Juliella Hankinson, Elias Hankinson, Willston Hankinson, Maverick Waser, and Syre Waser.
Betty grew up in Akron, Ohio. She graduated High School from Kenmore High School in 1940. She worked at
the Ohio Bell Telephone Company for 4 years. She graduated from Ashland University with her Bachelors and
later her Masters in Educational Supervision from Kent State University. She married Wayne Weldon Waser
on December 25, 1942 in New Jersey just a day or two before he left to serve in World War II.
Betty was a teacher for Millersburg Elementary for third grade in classes with 26-39 children for 7 years,
Millersburg's MRDD unit/school, and for Happy Hills School for Adults with MR. She was the first to teach
special education classes in her district. She eventually became superintendent of the Holmes County Training
Center for the Developmentally Disabled. She served on Holmes County Board of Mental Retardation as the
Executive Secretary and advocated for funding. She served as treasurer and several committees for the
Lend-a-Hand program at Hopewell Presbyterian church in Ohio.
She then moved to Cherokee Village, Arkansas in 1976 with her husband Wayne Waser. Betty was an avid
volunteer supporting the community she loved. She chaired the Sharp county Relay for Life, served on several
boards for the handicapped: American Options and Resources: North Arkansas Special Housing, Inc. & the
Fulton County Community Housing, Inc.
She helped to organize the Family and Friends Support Group at Ash Flat Convalescent Center. She served
as president for Spring River Business and Professional Women and was awarded Woman of the Year in
1998. She worked for Ozark Family Development Center with victims of domestic violence. She ran the office
for the Spring River Chamber of Commerce. She volunteered at the Fountain Place Independent Living
Facility into her 90's.
She originated the Labyrinth project at Cherokee Village United Methodist Church so that people could have a
place to walk and meditate in prayer. Betty was very active with the United Methodist Women and was always
there when anything needed to be done. She was a speaker for UMW programs, without any hesitation. Betty
was a Sunday school teacher at Cherokee Village United Methodist Church. She coordinated the Angel Tree
for children at Christmas and worked with the lap blanket project. Betty prepared communion for years for the
church.
Even though our hearts are broken our spirits rejoice and are at peace for we know that Betty is with our Lord
and Savior Jesus Christ and we are sure she is yet again helping to prepare a place for her family to reunite
once again on that glorious day of the Lord.
We leave you with this quote: "There are no goodbyes for us. Wherever you are, you will always be in my
heart" - Gandhi
A memorial service for Mrs. Betty Waser will be held on Friday, January 27th at the Cherokee Village United Methodist Church from 6:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M.