Betty J. Killian
September 8, 1939 ~ March 14, 2013
Betty J. Killian, 73, of Weirton, passed away Thursday, March 14, 2013 in the Weirton Medical Center. Born September 8, 1939 in Bellevue, OH, she was the daughter of the late Leslie H. and Ruth M. Leonard Killian. She was also preceded in death by her brother Robert Killian.
Ms. Killian served for 45 years as the Executive Director of the Weirton Christian Center and was a member of the First Baptist Church in Weirton, where she served as chairman of the Finance Committee, was Sunday School supervisor and teacher and was the Vice President of the Women Organization. In addition, she was a member of the Campfire Board of Directors and was an active volunteer for the Weirton United Way.
Betty is survived by her brothers William (Liz) Killian of Findley, OH, Richard (Cathy) Killian of Pismo Beach, CA and Gary (Judy) Norman of Mission Viejo, CA; a host of nieces and nephews and very dear friends Tracey and Joe Aperfine, Amy and Jay Yobbagy, Tom and Donna Durkin, Isabella and Sophia Aperfine and Maya and Carson Yobbagy.
In accordance with Betty's wishes, the Reverend Don Dague will celebrate the private funeral services at the Greco-Hertnick Funeral Home, 3219 Main Street, Weirton, WV. Interment will follow in Highland Hills Memorial Gardens, Follansbee, WV.
Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church, 307 Homewood Avenue, Weirton, WV 26062.
We would like to add that Betty was preceded in death by her brother Robert of Flint, Mi and a nephew Brian Killian of Findlay, Oh.
Betty’s commitment to the children of Weirton was a loving testament to the love that she had received through Christ.
What a Blessing it has been to be “Birthday Sisters” with Ms.Betty. I will cherish the time we’ve known you and love you! Deepest sympathy to the friends and family, God has gained an absolute gem and we will miss Betty dearly. Hugs and Prayers
Betty was a joy to all who knew her. I will miss the fun visits our women’s group from the First Baptist Church in Wellsburg had with her. She was a great example to all of us and a special friend to me. Edie
Betty was one of a kind, with total dedication to children,both through the ministry of Weirton Christian Center, as well as through FBC Weirton. She was much beloved not only in Weirton, but throughout the WV and American Baptist families. In her passing, as in her life’s ministry, she preferred to do it without fanfare almost to the point of being embarrassed by personal attention, preferring to wait to hear from the One whose opinion matters most, “Well done, good and faithful servant!”
Her brother Bill and I were always so proud of her and her accomplishments. She had a wry wit and sense of humor and was a joy to talk to. We will miss her. She was a good soul.
For Betty’s Family and Friends, We send our deepest sympathy. What a remarkable woman, who truly loved children and did so much for their good. All three of our children knew her through the Weirton Christian Center ~~ I know many people will grieve her loss. May God Bless her. With our sincere prayers, Mike and Janice Petrovich Memory Eternal
Betty was a special friend while I was Executive Minister of the West Virginia Baptist Convention (ABC/USA)from 1978-92 and served on her Executive Board at the Weirton Christian Center while some difficult times of transition following the relocation into a new neighborhood. In times of poor health and difficult trasnsition she remained faithful to her calling and to the children she served.
Betty was a special friend while I was Executive Minister of the West Virginia Baptist Convention (ABC/USA)from 1978-92 and served on her Executive Board at the Weirton Christian Center while some difficult times of transition following the relocation into a new neighborhood. In times of poor health and difficult trasnsition she remained faithful to her calling and to the children she served.
I remember Ms. Killian as a little girl. I stayed in trouble with her. I would continuously be banned from the center by her because of my misbehaving. She was loved by all the children was very dedicated to all of us. I remember the sleep overs she accompanied at the center. Man she was my other mother away from home. Ms. Killian I am going to miss you and I am proud to have known you. Thanks for all the years and things you taught me. You are a big part of my adulthood.
I will always remember Betty Killian as my teacher at the Weirton Christian Center. She was truly a great role model and will be missed. your family has my deepest sympathy.
Betty will be missed by many people ,she was a true christian and was devoted to her church and God.
Mrs.Killian was my pre-school teacher at the Weirton Christian Center i loved her class, it was so much fun! and she was a great teacher 🙂 love, December
A wonderful & caring sister, aunt & great aunt that truly will be missed by our entire family. She was a great comfort to her second family parents and brought much happiness and pride in all that she became in life. Betty was a wonderful addition to our family, we loved her and she loved in return all the extended Norman family.
Ms. Killian was my hero I was one of the kids from the Christian center.. Then even after I was to old to go there I would always stop in and say hello just to see how she was doing… She is going to be very sadly missed…
I have known Betty all my life. I remember as a child going to the center. Then when I became an adult I work with her on ave D. We had so much fun with the kids. They all looked up to her. My husband Bill work with her at the center for several year and we will truly miss her. She was a wonderful friend and loved by all. My prayers are with you all. May God comfort you at this time of sorrow
We have lost a special person.
My condolences go out to Betty’s family and friends. I remember the many trips and the summer camp times while Betty was in charge of the Christian Center. I cherish the fun that we had those many years, first as a camper then as a leader. You will be greatly missed!
I am very sorry to hear of Miss Killian’s passing. My youngest daughter attended the Christian Center from preschool through high school; my oldest daughter attended the after-school programs with her sister. They both loved Miss Killian, and it was very apparent how much she loved all of the children. She would make the children behave, but they respected her for it. Heaven has gained a wonderful angel!
She was a guardian angel to the children of the area. She made their dreams come true and helped everyone who needed it. Truly will be missed by all her children. May god grant her dreams now. She helped my raise my 3 children, Ed, Wesley and Sara.
She was a guardian angel to the children of the area. She made their dreams come true and helped everyone who needed it. Truly will be missed by all her children. May god grant her dreams now. She helped my raise my 3 children, Ed, Wesley and Sara.
Betty, how you loved children and adults alike. Seeing you at ABW Conference was always a joy. God bless you
I am Betty’s brother from California, and although I never grew up in childhhod with my sister I truly respected her for the commitment and the Love she had not only for God, but for the children that she taught and loved. I wish I had taken the time to get to know her better. I know she is in the best place. She deseved the best. Love you Sis.
Betty was my aunt, the sister of my father Robert, who passed before her in 2005. I remember her visits when I was a child. She made us feel loved and important. She had a witty kind of humor and made us laugh. I will miss her as well as her hard to read Christmas cards each year. Rest in Peace Aunt Betty!
I am truly sorry to hear of Betty passing.
Thoughts of Ms. Killian never left me through the years. She ran the Center on Avenue C when I was a kid. Everybody loved Ms. Killian. She was in all of our North End lives, with different events that were held at the center. I twirled my first baton at the center, jumped rope, had arts and crafts, halloween parties, played jacks, went on swimming trips, hikes, tomilson run park, kings creek. It was like a home away from home filled with fun activities for all us kids. I decided to google her name to see what would come up on her, and sadly enough, found this obituary. Wish I could have seen her again, to chat awhile, and say thanks for the good childhood memories. God bless you Ms. Killian…job well done! You’ll always be remembered. Love to your memory.
Ms. Killian …… A beautiful lady with a beautiful spirit .. You were a major part of my childhood and left many lasting memories !!! You will NEVER be forgotten … REST IN PEACE ..