Obituary of Betty Jane Grassley
Betty Jane Grassley was born on May 4, 1926, in Cleveland, Ohio. She was one of three children born to Clyde and Glaydell (Schultz) Fishburn. She attended Monroe Public Schools. As a young woman, Betty worked at Monroe Auto Equipment Company where she was awarded a Certificate of Merit in 1945 for her wartime service.
On April 17, 1948, Betty wed Harold Grassley at St. Paul United Methodist Church in Monroe, Michigan. The couple was blessed with four children. Betty devoted much of her life to caring for her home and family. Although, for a short time, she was employed as a laundress at the Holiday Inn Hotel in Monroe.
As a young woman, Betty loved skating around the roller rink and dancing the night away every Friday night at the Odd Fellows Hall alongside her sister. Gifted with a lovely voice, she often sang in beautiful harmony with her mother. A fun-loving person, Betty enjoyed playing dice and Bunko with her family and friends and would try her luck on the slots at the casino whenever she had the chance.
A wonderful cook, guests always looked forward to her delicious, breaded pork chops. She was equally talented at baking sweets, making chocolate fudge and baking dozens of cookies and her favorite fruitcake each Christmas. She also made incredible handcrafted milkshakes. Betty made Even though she was old-fashioned and set in her ways, Betty had a great sense of humor. Both a sweetheart and a spitfire, Betty loved deeply but wouldn’t take guff from anyone.
Betty Jane Grassley, age 96, of Carleton, Michigan passed away at Beaumont Hospital in Trenton on Wednesday; January 4, 2023. Her passing was preceded by her parents; her husband of fifty years: Harold Grassley in 1998; a son: Clyde Grassley in 2011; a daughter: Linda McCann in 2022; her brother: Fredrick Fishburn in 1988; a granddaughter: Heather McCarty; and a grandson: Michael McCann.
To cherish her memory, she leaves her daughter: Sue (Dave) Black of Newport, Michigan; a son Larry Grassley of Carleton; a son in-law: Shawn McCann of Toledo, Ohio; a sister: Lovern (Ralph) Heinzerling; ten grandchildren; and many great and great-great grandchildren.
Friends may gather on Tuesday; January 10, 2023, from 12:00pm until 1:00pm at Merkle Funeral Service, North Monroe; 2442 North Monroe Street, Monroe, Michigan 48162 (734) 384-5185. A Worship Service Celebrating Betty’s Life, led by pastor Roy Southerland, will begin at 1:00pm also at Merkle’s followed by a procession to Roselawn Memorial Park in LaSalle, Michigan.
Online guests may leave words of inspiration and comfort or share a photo by visiting www.merklefs.com.