Betty Jane (Rigby) Milhoan

Betty Jane (Rigby) Milhoan 92, of Salem, died at her home on Friday morning, July 23, 2021.

She was born on July 30, 1928, in Fowler, Ca., the daughter of the late Marion E. and Jennie B. (Griffin) Rigby.

Betty was a 1946 graduate of Fowler Technical School, married shortly after graduation, and moved to Ohio to start their family. She worked at the family business as their bookkeeper at Milhoan Electronics on West State Street in Salem. She and Harry were active members of the Salem First United Methodist Church.

Betty was an active person and was always on the go. There were many things in her life that were important to her. She was very devoted to the (Former) Eastern Star # 334 in Salem. A Life Member and served for 61 years, as well as holding numerous offices. The family had a very special connection to music over the years. They had their own band, “Music Masters” that played in the area. They also were the house band at Hi-Neighbor Dance Hall just south of Salem. She was a singer and drummer in the band. Music always brought out her love of dancing that continued throughout her life. The Musicians Union in the area had also asked her to serve as there secretary for a time. 

Betty always felt blessed that she was able to travel all over the world. Her love for family always drew her heart back home. The special times with family, the meals, the games with the grandchildren were her heartbeat. She also had her dogs and bird watching to keep her busy over the years.

Betty always had a group of friends she would stay close to in her later years. She would drive her van to gather up all the ladies in her Birthday Club and go out to eat. She was also an active member of the Methodist Church Widows Club.

In her later years, Betty always kept her mind active and challenged herself by word search and other word games as well as reading.

She is survived by her children; Jennie Sue (Larry) Mitchell and Michael Harry (Renee) Milhoan all of Salem, grandchildren; Amanda (Timothy) Seddon; Melissa(Grant) Gorton, Erin(Jarett) Bontempt, and Michael (Sarah) Milhoan, great-grandchildren; Tori (Eric) Krannich and Bella Jane Milhoan, plus great great grandchild; Demi Monroe Krannich.

In addition to her parents, Betty was preceded in death on October 1, 2011, by her husband, Harry Monroe Milhoan whom she married on June 15, 1946.

A Celebration of Life Service will be observed on what would have been her 93 birthday, Friday, July 30, 2021, at 1 PM at the Arbaugh-Pearce-Greenisen & Sons Funeral and Cremation Services.  Rev. Bruce Irwin will preside over The Celebration of Life Service. The burial will be in Grandview Cemetery. The time of visitation will be from 6-8 Pm Thursday and 12 to 1 PM Friday at the funeral home prior to funeral services. The East Palestine Eastern Star #381 will hold a service during the visitation on Thursday.

Betty had requested that donations be made to the building fund of the church. (Salem First United Methodist Church 244 S. Broadway Avenue, Salem Ohio 44460)

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.