Betty Jean (McGuire) Hodoval

Betty Jean (McGuire) Hodoval, 80, of Evansville, passed away Tuesday, August 18, 2015, at Deaconess Hospital surrounded by family. She was born March 22, 1935, in Olin, IA to the late Arthur “Jack” and Ethel (Luker) McGuire.

She graduated from Olin Consolidated School in Olin, IA in 1952. She then attended Cedar Rapids Business College. Betty married her husband of 62 years, Ronald “Ron” E. Hodoval, in March 1953. She then worked as secretary in the Home Economics department at Iowa State College for four years while her husband attended Veterinary College. After Ronald served two years in the Army Veterinary Corps at Fort Campbell, KY, they moved to Evansville where he established his veterinary practice. Betty helped in all aspects of the practice, eventually settling into pet grooming. She did pet grooming for many years at the Chateau Dog and Cat Hospital, originally located at 762 Lincoln Avenue and in 1970 moved to 4705 Bellemeade Avenue, retiring in 1998.

When her children were growing up Betty enjoyed helping with Cub Scouts and Brownies, PTA, and being a room mother at their schools. She enjoyed attending all their many activities, including baseball, wrestling, softball, basketball, football, marching band contests, and soccer. She especially enjoyed watching her grandchildren run track and play soccer, baseball, and basketball. Betty loved her family, enjoyed her flower garden, sewing, quilting, reading, bird watching and Sudoku. During the past 18 years of retirement she and her husband spent the winters in Lakeland, FL with their many snowbird friends. She was an avid Chicago Cubs fan, as well as the Indianapolis Colts and Evansville Aces. She was a member of Bethlehem United Church of Christ for 27 years, joining their membership in 1988.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

She is survived by her husband, Ron; sons, Mark (Elaine) Hodoval and Scott (Michelle) Hodoval; daughter, Rhona (Matt) Lowe; grandchildren, Lauren and Erin Hodoval, Kevin and Kyle Hodoval, and Alex and Nolan Lowe, all of Evansville; sister, Wanda (Larry) Blanchard; nephew, Brian Blanchard, both of Akron, OH; brother-in-law, Dr. Leland (Judy) Hodoval of Evansville; and nieces, Dana Hodoval of Wauconda, IL, Kristin (Jeff) Wiltrout of Holly Springs, ND, and Wendy (Brian) Goebel of Evansville.

Funeral Services will be 11:00 AM Friday, August 21, 2015, at Bethlehem United Church of Christ, 6400 Oak Hill Road, officiated by Pastor Mark Sirnic, with burial in Bethlehem UCC Cemetery. Friends may visit Thursday from 3:00 to 8:00 PM at Alexander East Chapel, 2115 Lincoln Avenue, and Friday from 10:00 AM until service time at the church.

Memorial contributions may be made to Bethlehem United Church of Christ or Vanderburgh Humane Society. Condolences may be made online at www.AlexanderEastChapel.com.