Feb. 8, 1925 - March 4, 2002

SODUS - Betty (Smith) Vergon, 77, formerly of Sodus, Mich., passed away Monday, March 4, in the Lakeland Continuing Care Center, St. Joseph, Mich.

A memorial service for Betty will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, March 8, in the Chapel Hill United Methodist Church, Sodus. Friends may visit with the family from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday in the church.

Memorials may be made to the Lakeland Continuing Care Center, 3425 Lakeshore Drive, St. Joseph, MI 49085; or to the charity of donor's choice.

Betty was born Feb. 8, 1925, in Plymouth, Ind., to George and Marjorie Smith. Betty married Elwood on July 27, 1945. She was preceded in death by her husband, Elwood, in 2000; her parents; a sister, Barbara Wood; and by a grandson, Justin Matarese in 1988.

She was a homemaker and worked at the Avion Coach Company, Benton Harbor, Mich., for 25 years. After retiring, Betty enjoyed volunteering as a "Grandma" at Sterne Brunson Elementary. She also had more time to spend with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She is survived by her five children, Sharon (Angelo) Costanza of Sodus, Patricia (Robert) Contreras of Benton Harbor, Charlene (Leonard) Matarese of Hollywood, Fla., Paulette (Ned) Adams of St. Joseph and Gary (Judi) Vergon of Charlevoix, Mich.; eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; her sister, Margorie Sechrist of Plymouth; and by her brother, George (Anita) Smith of Martinsville, Ind.