Bette Jean Newman

Bette Jean Newman, 86, passed away at home in Norton on Monday, July 4, 2022, following a brief illness.  
She was born on May 7, 1936, to the late Earl and Pauline Thayer and was a lifelong resident of Norton, Ohio.  Bette met her future husband Buford in the second grade at Loyal Oak School, and they were married in 1955.  She followed a long career at Metropolitan Life Insurance by continuing to work into her 70s at Kovack Realty.  Bette was kind and generous, always available to help, hug, or just listen. She enjoyed road trips, camping, playing cards, Amish country weekends, jigsaw puzzles, and weekly craft sessions with her sisters.  Most of all, she loved being at home with family in the house she and Buford built over 60 years ago. 
Bette will be greatly missed by her husband Buford; children Kelly Mocarski (Thomas), Dan Newman, and Jeannie Wigal (David Garvey); beloved grandchildren Thomas Mocarski (Christina Rhodes), Caitlin Matovich (Scott), Zack and Addison Wigal, and Clayton and Cole Newman; cherished great-grandchildren Azaleah Rhodes-Seefeldt and Lola Jean Matovich; dear sisters Sally McDaniel and Mildred Carneal (Ed), brother-in-law David (Mike) Newman (Linda), and sister-in-law Mona Thayer; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and treasured friends and neighbors.  In addition to her parents, Bette was preceded in death by her brothers Earl Thayer Jr. and Ralph Thayer and her sister Arlene (Dolly) Vough.  
Funeral Service will be 11:00 am Tuesday, July 12, 2022 at Bacher-Moore Funeral Home, 3250 Greenwich Road, Norton, Ohio 44203, with Pastor Bob Combs officiating.  Visitation will be Monday, July 11, 2022, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm at the Funeral Home (Norton).  Bette's final resting place will be Greenlawn Memorial Park.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to Grace Church of Norton or Crossroads Hospice Charitable Foundation.