Betty (Grasley) Kelchner

Betty Kelchner was born on November 22, 1924 in Berwick, PA to Lewis and Jennie Grasley. She passed away peacefully with her daughter at her side on March 3, 2019 at Lower Cape Fear Hospice in Wilmington, NC at the age of 94. A long-time resident of Pennsylvania, Betty recently moved to Wilmington, NC to live with her daughter and son-in-law. She expressed great joy in her new home with them. She was a long-time member of Harriman United Methodist Church of Bristol, PA and was attending Langhorne United Methodist Church before moving to North Carolina. Betty was employed for years at Nichols Pools, First Federal Savings & Loan, and Northtec. She was a volunteer for 31 years at Lower Bucks Hospital, which she enjoyed immensely. Betty enjoyed her life journey with family and many special friends. Martha Kelly, her dear friend of over 60 years, was like a sister to her because of their strong bond of love. She was known for her "special" rice pudding, which she lovingly stirred for one straight hour, to share with many friends. Betty is survived by her daughter, Diane (Michael) Gawinski; her grandchildren, Christiane (J. Christian) Butler; and Michael Charles (Kelsey) Gawinski; her great-granddaughters, Victoria Grace Butler and Julia Rose Butler; and several nieces and nephews. Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Donald Kelchner, in 1984 and her son, David Van Kelchner, on May 18, 2018. Her six brothers and four sisters preceded her in death. Family and friends are invited to visitation on Thursday, March 7, 2019, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at Kelchner-McMichael-Baker Funeral Home at 119-121 East Third Street, Berwick, PA 18603. The funeral service will follow immediately thereafter. Burial will be at Elan Memorial Park Cemetery, 5595 Old Berwick Road, Bloomsburg, PA 17815. Should you desire to honor Betty, the family respectfully requests contributions be made to the Lower Cape Fear Hospice, 1414 Physicians Drive, Wilmington, NC 28401. The family is very grateful to the various physicians and staff who lovingly cared for Betty, especially during these last months. Lower Cape Fear Hospice helped make her last days more comfortable. She will be greatly missed.