Betty June (Shaffer) Rairigh

Betty June (Shaffer) Rairigh passed away peacefully at Rosewood Adult Foster Care Home in Dewitt, Michigan on January 3, 2017. Betty was born on December 1, 1925 to Elizabeth (Bale) and Elmer Shaffer in an old farm house on her Grandpa Bale’s farm at Shaytown Road and M50 and lived within 5 miles of her birthplace most of her life. 

Betty and her only sibling, Charles (Bud) Shaffer (1929-2009), attended rural Shaytown School and also completed two years at Vermontville High School. Although she did not finish high school, she got her GED and graduated from Lakewood High School in 1972.

Her mother died when she was 16 and she quit school to keep house for her father and brother.  Later she moved to an apartment in Lansing with three girlfriends and worked as “a Rosie the Riveter” helping build war planes during World War II. At the end of the war, she continued working for a short time in Lansing building automobiles.

On April 2, 1948, she married J. Melvin Rairigh at her parent’s home on the corner of Sunfield Highway and St. Joe Highway. Following a honeymoon in Washington, DC, they moved to the farm Melvin owned on Round Lake Road where they raised their family of four, Elaine (Jim) Curtis, Patricia (Jim) Ludwig, Marilyn (Eric) Hillman and John (Kaelene) Rairigh. Betty was a devoted and loving wife, mother and grandmother: spending time with her family was her favorite activity.

Betty was renowned among her family and friends for her delicious meals, especially her pies served with Melvin’s delicious home-made ice cream. In addition to raising her children and being a rural farm wife, Betty served many years as a 4-H leader teaching cooking and canning classes to many young people from the Sunfield area.

After her children were grown, Betty worked for the Barry/Eaton County Health Department where she enjoyed friendships with her co-workers and working with mothers and children until her retirement.

Betty was also very involved in activities at Sunfield United Methodist Church where she and Melvin were long-time members. For many years, they also helped pack and deliver Christmas baskets in the local community. Mom also volunteered at McRee Guest House in Lansing for a number of years.

Betty will be deeply missed by her four children and their spouses, eight grandchildren: Ken (Patricia) Archer, Eric (Monica) Archer, Kirsten (Ric) Beemer, Kerianne (Kelly) Hourihan, Matthew (Krista) Hillman, Stephanie (Chris) Agozino, Preston Rairigh and Ashley (Brad) Hill; and 14 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Vivian and Marge Rairigh, and many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to especially express their gratitude to Gloria and Ralph Mason and all the staff at Rosewood Adult Foster Care Home, who treated Betty like family and cared for her with love and compassion for the last three years of her life.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association - Greater Michigan Chapter
25200 Telegraph Road, Suite100, Southfield, MI 48033; Eaton Community Palliative Care, 2675 South Cochran, Charlotte, Michigan 48813; or McRee Guest House at 401 W Greenlawn Ave, Lansing, MI 48910.

Funeral services 11:00 am – Monday Jan. 9, 2017 at the Sunfield United Methodist Church with Pastor Mark Payne officiating.  Visitation with viewing 2-4 and 6-8 Sunday  Jan. 8, 2017 at the Church.

Please visit a memorial page for Betty June Rairigh, to light a candle or leave a condolence www.rosierfuneralhome.com

The family is being served by the Independent Family Owned Funeral Home in Sunfield: Rosier Funeral Home.

 Service Information