Elizabeth Lee Lemke "Betty"

Age 72, of the Greater Dayton Area, died at home after a brief battle with Cancer on July 18, 2005. Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Magdalen and Larry Metzger, her infant daughter, Linda, and spouses: Fred Lemke Jr. and Carl Stringer. Tonight she will also be playing pinochle with her uncle Lee and her aunts Cleo Coughlin, Theresa (Fred Haller), Leona “Nonie” (Frank Volmer), Mary (Ed) Zimmer, uncle Paul (Margueritte), uncle Jim (Elma), and others who may have talked across the table from time to time.… She is survived by children, John & wife Eva (Cassity) and daughter Alysha of Orlando, FL; daughter, Lee Ann Leal & husband Guillermo (Bill), and their children, Genie, Angel, and Ben of Kettering; son, Larry & Sheree, of New Carlisle; son, Bob & Judy, and their children, Stacey, Zach, and Matt, of Beavercreek; and daughter Maria, of Dayton; her stepchildren: Carlene Thompson Stringer, Jeff Stringer, Michelle Stringer and Anessa Gilbride Stringer. Betty is also survived by loving brothers and a sister: Edward (Jan) of Corbin, Ky.; Tom (Ronna) of Huber Heights; John (Madeline), of Springboro; Bob (Pat), of Kettering; Jim (Dianne) of Riverside, Richard of Clayton, Theresa (Terry) of Chapleau, Ontario; and Anthony Stefanek (Carol), of Beavercreek; and many cherished nieces and nephews and family friend “Aunt” Ellen Klump. Among many special friends are Phyllis Wilder, Carolyn Ewald, the “gang” at Graphic Impact, and her dear classmates from Corpus Christi for whom she published the “Scoops” newsletter. Betty was a self-made woman that always rose to the top of her professional paths: She spent 17 years with the City of Dayton as Parks and Recreation Supervisor, and while in that position founded the Riverbend Arts Council and “Art in the Park” festival; became the owner of Tepping Ceramic Studios in Dayton; held positions as ShopSmith Accounting Administrator and Knights Inn Manager in Birmingham, AL; and then later became the CEO and principal stockholder of Lemke’s & FAME - a national entertainment event merchandising company which brought together business and friends with a family touch. Her family best remember Betty for her enjoyment of the holidays especially Christmas, where many Hallmark collectibles were shared with her grandchildren; also finding pennies from her mother; a good game of pinochle; and a penchant for very special “Adventures” to the boat casinos. Viewing will be held from 5-8:00 PM, Friday, July 22, 2005 at Routsong Funeral Home, 2100 E. Stroop Rd, Kettering, OH. Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, 249 Squirrel Rd, Dayton, at 10:30 AM, Saturday, July 23, 2005 with Father Bill Thomas officiating. Internment will be held by the family at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Dayton, 324 Wilmington Ave., Dayton, OH 45420 Condolences may be sent to the family via www.routsong.com. This is but the beginning of Betty’s 2005 Adventure, and she would not want any of us to miss the boat. “Not that there is anything wrong with that.”

Funeral Home:
Kettering Routsong Funeral Home
2100 E. Stroop Rd.
Kettering, OH
US 45429