Blanch B. Willette

July 2, 1939 - March 9, 2020

Blanch B. Willette, 80, of Bluffton passed away on Monday morning, March 9, 2020, at Ossian Health & Rehab Center in Ossian. She was born on July 2, 1939 in Bluffton, Indiana to George & Annabell (Leach) Betz. Blanch was a homemaker and managed senior living apartments and shopping centers for Melvin Simon. Blanch and Bruce R. Willette were married on January 31, 1959 in Tennessee. He retired from serving in the military and they moved and travel together through his entire career. Bruce preceded her in death in 2014. She is survived by a son, Chris (Vickie) Bryan of Niles, MI. along with siblings; Homer Betz of Frankton, Joseph Betz of Decatur, James “Jim” (Treva) Betz of rural Poneto, Robert (Anni) Betz of Indianapolis, Esther Clements of Indianapolis, Laura Zent of Huntington, Wilma Ohern of Harford City, Carolyn Johnson of Bluffton, Linda (John) Stinson of Bluffton. Blanch is also survived by 4 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Blanch is preceded in death by a son, Brett Edward Willette and siblings; Mary Ann Betz, Helen Gentis, Frederick “Pete” Betz and Edward Betz. Funeral services will be held at 3 P.M. on Thursday (March 12, 2020) at the Thoma/Rich, Lemler Funeral Home in Bluffton with Rev. Wayne Guillon officiating. Entombment will follow at the Northridge Community Mausoleum at Fairview Cemetery in Bluffton. Memorials may be made to Ossian Health & Rehab Center Activities Fund. Calling Hours will be held from 1 P.M. to 3 P.M. on Thursday, prior to the service at the funeral home. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Thoma/Rich, Lemler Funeral Home in Bluffton. Friends can send online condolences to the family at www.thomarich.com.