Donald Lee Bettinger

Donald Lee Bettinger, age 72, of Swanton, Ohio, passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by his loving family, Friday, April 13, 2018, from complications of progressive supranuclear palsy.  He was born December 25, 1945 in Toledo, Ohio to Marie (Miller) and Leonard Bettinger.  Don was a 1963 graduate of Swanton High School and 1968 graduate of The Ohio State University where he obtained a degree in Horticulture.  On September 10, 1966, he married his beloved wife Jacqueline Spengler. 

Don worked alongside his father from 1968-1987.  Following the passing of his father, he became president and co-owner of Bettinger Farms, Inc.  Don served 2 years as Vice President and 3 years as President of the Ohio Potato Growers Association.  He also served on the board for the Ohio Vegetable and Potato Growers.  Don took great pride in being one of the largest sweet corn producers in  Ohio.  He  looked forward to going to work every day alongside his family and friends. He also enjoyed spending his lunch hour with his wife and children.

Don enjoyed spending time with family and has many wonderful memories with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  He and his wife loved taking cruises, and enjoyed spending time at casinos winning a total of 116 royal flushes between the two of them.  He loved the Ohio State Buckeyes, Cleveland Browns, and Cleveland Indians.

Don will be greatly missed by his loving wife of 51 years, Jacque, whom he greeted every morning with "Hello Darling"; his mother, Marie; daughter, Renee (Matt) Myers, Scott (Lisa) Bettinger, Chad Bettinger; grandchildren, Krystle, Chelsea, Chase, Lance, Brett, Eric, Lauren, Luke; great-grandchildren, Braxton, Hunter, Paisley; his brothers, Ron (Joan) Bettinger and Tom (Molly) Bettinger; brothers-in-law, John (Sandy) Spengler and family and Steve Spengler and family; as well as best friends, Jerry and Carol Keil, Jim and Carole Fuller, and Murl and Cheryl Wittscheck.

Don was preceded in death by his father, Leonard; grandchild, Baby Boy Bettinger; great-granddaughter, Aila Marie Lane; and nephew, Joshua Bettinger.

Visitation will be held Thursday, April 19th from 2 to 8 p.m. at the Weigel Funeral Home in Swanton, where a Scripture Service and Rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m.  Visitation will continue Friday, April 20th from 10 to 11 a.m. at St. Richard Catholic Church, where a Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., with Fr. Adam Hertzfeld presiding. Interment will follow at Marygrove Cemetery.

A special thank you to his beloved caregivers, Kylie, Kathy, Jessica, Roz, Sue, Christine and Max.  

Memorial contributions may be made to Ohio Living Home & Health Hospice.