Carl J. Betz

BETZ Carl J. Carl J. Betz, passed away at the age of 83, on February 24th, 2007, while in the arms of his loving wife of 56 years, Anna Marie. Carl's home for the past 37 years has been the Isles of Capri, Florida and prior to that, Ottawa Hills, Ohio. He was born in Toledo, Ohio to Carl and Florence (Smith) Betz. Carl was affectionately referred to as "CB" by his family and many of his co-workers. He earned a business degree and played football for the University of Toledo, was a member of the Toledo Rotary, the Inverness Country Club, the Island Country Club and a former member of the Golf Club at Fiddlers Creek. He was a member of San Marco Catholic Church on Marco Island and Gesu Catholic Church in Toledo, Ohio Carl was an outstanding example of what has been referred to as the "Greatest Generation", a class of individuals that fought for freedom and built our great country. He survived the depression and served as a First Lieutenant and bombardier in the U.S. Air Force during World War II. Carl was very proud that he had "flown the hump" as a member of General Chennault's Flying Tigers. He started a successful business employing hundreds of people, raised a family of 5 children with Ann and accomplished most everything for which he had dreamed. Carl expressed the classic entrepreneurial attitude; doing what he wanted to do in his own way. He was an airplane pilot, enjoyed boating, one of the founders of the former Progress National Bank in Toledo, and the co-founder along with his wife Ann of the Betco Corporation which continues as an industry leading enterprise today, specializing in manufacturing chemicals and equipment for cleaning and sanitation. Carl was a kind, humble and very unassuming gentleman; not one to boast or raise his voice in anger and was always friendly to everyone he met. Carl was very happy with what he had accomplished, very seldom expressed disappointment (except in his golf game) and felt truly blessed that he had been able to enjoy life to the fullest. Golf, a game at which he excelled, was a great passion for Carl. Having grown up as a caddie and always desiring to be able to play the game himself, he would spend countless hours striving to improve his game. A former 5 time club champion at Marco Island Club, he could be most often found playing, practicing or watching golf. Carl is survived by his wife, Ann, and 5 children, Paul (Randa), Christine (Gary) Hartman, Daniel, James (Cindy), and Brenda (Mike) Kelly, and 10 grandchildren, Bradley and Barrett Betz, Jeffrey, Brian and Kimberly Hartman, Jessica, Rachel and Michael Betz and Griffin and Tyler Kelly. A funeral mass will be celebrated at San Marco Catholic Church, 851 San Marco Road on Marco Island on Friday, March 2nd, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. A celebration of life ceremony will be held in Toledo, Ohio in the upcoming weeks with details to be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be sent to the Alzheimer's Support Network, 660 9th Street N., Naples, Florida 34102.