Betty Jean Stitzle

Betty Jean (Riley) Stitzle, 81, of Greencastle, Indiana, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, at Hendricks Regional Health Campus in Danville, Indiana, surrounded by her loving family.

Born in Indianapolis, Indiana on July 28, 1945, to Donald and Wilhelmina (Hoste) Riley. She was preceded in death by her parents, beloved husband, James G. Stitzle, and her sister, Patricia A. Riley.

Betty’s most important role in life was being a mother. After her husband, James, died suddenly at the age of 32, Betty devoted herself to raising their three children, serving as both mother and father and providing her family with unwavering love, strength, and support.

As a mother, Betty was someone her children could always count on. She was never judgmental and was always supportive, providing a safe and loving place for her children to turn no matter what life brought their way. Her strength and devotion helped shape the lives of the family she loved so dearly.

She is survived by her three children, Chris Stitzle and his wife, Erika, of Carlisle, Indiana; Stephen Kelly Stitzle of Greencastle, Indiana; and Kerry McLain and her husband, David, of Greencastle, Indiana. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Karina Stitzle of Greencastle, Derek Stitzle of Midland, Texas, and Keeghan Bennett and her husband, Gabe, of Indianapolis, Indiana; and her great-granddaughter, Khaleesi Ayers of Kokomo, Indiana.

Betty loved being a grandmother. She took great joy in spoiling her grandchildren. Their presence brought her tremendous happiness, and she treasured every moment she was able to spend with them. Her great-granddaughter also brought a special joy to her life.

Betty had a long and varied working life. She worked for her father, Donald Riley, a public accountant, and later became an employee of RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program). She spent the final 23 years of her career working in the Physical Plant at DePauw University, retiring at age 65.

In her free time, Betty enjoyed playing cards, lunch dates with friends, making crafts, and cheering on the Pacers, Fever and Colts.

Above all, Betty will be remembered for her unwavering love for her family. She was dependable, accepting, and supportive—a mother her children could always count on and a grandmother who found immense joy in her grandchildren. Her love, strength, and devotion will remain with her family and will be cherished for generations to come.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, September 1, 2026. Burial will follow at the Forest Hill Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 - 7:00 PM on Monday, August 31, 2026 at the Bittles and Hurt Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Betty to the American Heart Assn (www.heart.org) or the Kidney Fund (www.kidneyfund.org)