Obituary of Elizabeth Ann Philabaun
Elizabeth Ann “Betty” Philabaun was born on December 21, 1938 in Monroe, Michigan. She was the loving daughter of the late William and Edna (Boylan) Strimbel. She would graduate from Monroe High School in 1956 and go onto further her education at the Monroe County Community College obtaining her Associates degree in Business.
On August 24, 1963, a warm summer day, in Monroe, Betty would marry Harry Philabaun at the Monroe County Courthouse. The couple would be blessed with two children Lynette and Harry. Betty loved bingo calling at the Mable Kehres in Monroe. She was an avid reader who enjoyed reading all sorts of books and never read a book she couldn’t finish front to back. Betty was a big fan of magazines, especially all the gossip magazines with People magazine and the National Enquirer being two of her favorites. She loved fishing on Lake Erie for whatever was biting that day.
Betty worked at the Lutheran Home in Monroe in the janitorial and laundry departments retiring after seventeen years of employment, she had also been employed as a secretary for the Monroe Public Schools, and worked at the “Little Red Store” in North Shores with her friend Shirley O’Rourke who owned the store. Betty and her husband Harry operated the Rainbow Marina. As much as she loved to read and fish, Betty loved spending time with her brother Bobby and grandchildren and great grandchildren even more.
Elizabeth Ann “Betty” Philabaun, age 82 of Monroe, Michigan passed away peacefully on Thursday August 26, 2021 at the Lenawee Medical Care Facility in Adrian, Michigan. Her passing was preceded by her parents; William and Edna Strimbel, her husband Harry in 2000, two brothers; Ronald and William Strimbel; and her sister-in-law: Frances Strimbel.
To cherish her memory she leaves her daughter: Lynette (Terry) Sproles of Hudson, Michigan; two sons: Harry Philabuan (Cindy Barron) of Erie, Michigan and David (Jill) Miles of Georgia; one brother: Robert “Bobby” Strimbel (Linda Hance) of Luna Pier, Michigan; six grandchildren: Kevin (Rachel) Sproles, Stephanie (Chris) Sproles-Gooch, Travis Sproles, Emma Johnson, Devin and Lily Miles; three great grandchildren: Hailey Sproles and Cooper and Capri Gooch.
Friends may gather from 2:00pm until 4:00pm on Friday; September 3, 2021 at Merkle Funeral Service, South Monroe; 14567 South Dixie Highway, Monroe, Michigan 48161 (734) 241-7070. A Celebration of Her Life will follow at 4:00pm at Merkle Funeral Service with Pastor Lee Herbert of Abundant Life Ministry in Temperance, Michigan officiating.
For those desiring, memorial contributions in Betty’s memory are suggested to Dundee Elementary School. Online guests may leave words of inspiration and comfort or share a photo by visiting www.merklefs.com.
