Betty Joan Johns

Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, Betty J. Johns, 91, of Indianapolis, passed away on December 14, 2024 at home peacefully with family. She was born in Standish, Michigan March 27, 1933, to the late Hervey A. and Kathelyn E. Beutler. She graduated from Lansing Eastern High School, Class of 1951, and Lansing Business University. Betty was employed as an Administrative Assistant for 40 years in Michigan and Indiana. She was married to Jerry W. Johns for 63 years (together for 70 years), who passed away in 2015. They moved to Tipton, Indiana in 1966 after Jerry’s transfer to FMC Corporation. While in Tipton, Betty worked for doctors, lawyers, City of Tipton (Mayor’s Deputy) and Tipton County (Prosecutor’s office). Betty was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Tipton, where she was a Deacon, soloist (at Tipton and Elwood churches), choir member, and past President of Presbyterian Women. She was awarded an Honorarian in Christian Education, and also wrote and presented numerous programs for church groups. She was past Secretary-Treasurer for Tipton Community Fund for eight years, and did a safety program in the elementary schools.

Betty was a very accomplished violinist playing in several symphony orchestras and string quartets. She also played in pit orchestras for high school musicals “South Pacific”, “My Fair Lady”, “The King and I”, “Little Abner”, “Sound of Music”, “Finian’s Rainbow”, and “Bye, Bye Birdie”, to name a few. She also played the piano.

Jerry and Betty moved to Indianapolis in November 1988 where she was a member of Second Presbyterian Church in the Sanctuary Choir, Handbell Ensemble, and Church Music Library volunteer for many years. Betty sang over 80 years in Presbyterian Church choirs while she lived in Michigan, Indiana, & Georgia. Over her lifetime, she donated over 4,000 coupons for Education to Indianapolis Public Schools. She also made several donations to other charities.

Survivors include three sons: Randolph Johns (Ann deceased), Brad (Karen) Johns, and Stacey Johns, all of Indianapolis; three grandchildren, Andy (Heather) Johns, Matthew Johns, and Janna Johns; three great-grandchildren; sister-in-law Anita Beutler, of Texas, as well as several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held on Monday, January 6, 2025 from 10 AM- 11 AM followed by a funeral service at 11:00 AM, all at Second Presbyterian Church, 7700 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis, Indiana. A graveside service will also be held on Monday, January 6, 2025 at 2:00 PM at Fairview Cemetery in Tipton, Indiana.

Leppert Mortuary – Nora Chapel assisting with arrangements. To share a memory, please visit www.leppertmortuary.com.