- Date Of Birth: August 12, 1930
- Date Of Death: March 11, 2013
- State: Indiana
Betty Jane Fairchild, 82, of Elkhart, died peacefully at Elkhart General Hospital on Monday, March 11, 2013.
Betty began her life on August 12, 1930, on a farm in Bourbon.
Preceding her in death were her parents Clifford and Ada Mae Brown and five brothers and sisters. She married Robert L. Mitchell on August 7, 1947. He preceded her in death Sept. 25, 1958. She married James “Jim” Fairchild on June 3, 1968; he passed away July 18, 1998.
Betty is survived by her seven children, Mary Wilkinson, Mikel (Pat) Mitchell, John Mitchell, Debra (Pete) Gustafson, Jim (Cary) Fairchild Jr., Dave (Lori) Fairchild and Steve (Micky) Fairchild.
Betty was also known as “Grandma BJ” to her 20 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
Besides loving all of her family, BJ was an avid Notre Dame and IU fan and loved all sports. BJ enjoyed entertaining friends and family, especially on holidays. Her favorite holiday, the Fourth of July, was spent on the St. Joe River enjoying the flotilla and fireworks with loved ones. Cookies, candy and homemade jam were her specialties in the kitchen.
She worked as a dental assistant and receptionist for many years for Dr. Tom Tanner in South Bend and Dr. Don Findley in Elkhart. Betty was an active member of and formerly served as president of the Beta Sigma Phi sorority.
