Betty Bickel Schooley

Betty Lou (Bickel) Schooley, 90 of Celebration, Florida, passed away peacefully August 24, 2025. She was born in Goshen, Indiana on December 14, 1934. Betty graduated from Goshen High School in 1953. During her high school years, she was active in several clubs and participated in team sports. By example, Betty inspired others to achieve their highest potential. She married Roger W. Schooley on September 3, 1955.

While raising their three sons, Betty pursued several higher education degrees. As a part-time student, she graduated with distinction from Purdue University, Fort Wayne, Indiana in May 1972 with an applied science degree in Nursing. She received her Bachelor of Arts with Honors degree from Saint Leo College, St. Petersburg, Florida in Apr 1980. Betty earned a Master’s degree in Education from the University of South Florida in Apr 1983 and continued on to earn her Bachelor of Science (Summa Cum Laud) in Nursing in May 1985, also from USF.

Seeking to escape Indiana’s harsh winters, Betty encouraged her husband Roger to answer an ad in a trade magazine for a job opening in Florida. A trip to Florida for an interview started as an adventure, then culminated later into the family moving to Saint Petersburg, Florida in July 1972. That’s where Betty began her career as a registered nurse working in many different areas of nursing to include cardiac care, geriatric and intensive care. As Roger’s career advanced, in 1977 the family moved to Crystal River, Florida establishing their eventual retirement location.

Betty was a member of the Crystal River Community Church in Crystal River, Florida and the Central Christian Church in Elkhart, Indiana. She enjoyed volunteering and was an active member in the United Methodist Women’s group in Crystal River. Upon retirement, Betty and Roger traveled frequently. Along with many ocean cruises, they visited many destinations to include New Zealand, Australia, Hawaii, and Alaska.

Betty is survived by her husband: Roger W Schooley; sons: Steven R (Karen) Schooley, David R (Anne) Schooley, and William E (Diana) Schooley; grandchildren: Chad (Sara), Cris, Jonathan, Jeffrey, Matthew, and Meredith; and great-grandchildren: Brayden and Brinley. She was preceded in death by her parents: Harold and Lula Bickel and brother, Arthur Dale Bickel.

Betty will be inurned in Rice Cemetery, Elkhart, Indiana. Memorial services will be arranged at a later date.