Joseph P. "Joe" Betty 1919-1969

BETTY, EWEN, GONVALEZ, READY

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 4/26/2012 at 20:20:55

Former Sheriff Dies of Heart Attack; Rites Set
Joe Betty, 50, died Saturday [November 22, 1969] night following a heart attack, friends in Estherville learned yesterday. Funeral services will be held at Kalamazoo, Mich., Tuesday, with graveside services arranged for Thursday morning at 10 o’clock at Oak Hill Cemetery in Estherville, Rev. H. Allen Wirz officiating.

At the time of his death Mr. Betty held an executive position with the Upjohn Pharmaceutical Co. in Kalamazoo, being in charge of the company’s air transportation. He joined the company in 1956 as a pilot. He was a veteran airplane pilot, having flown more than 10,000 hours for Pan-American Grace Airlines in South America, being based at Lima, Peru. He attended the University of Iowa.

Betty came to Estherville in 1951, purchasing the former Jennings Implement Co. He operated the implement company until 1955, when he was appointed Emmet County sheriff, a position he held until moving to Kalamazoo. In 1955 Jerry Hendrickson became a partner with Mr. Betty in the
Estherville Implement Co., later acquiring full ownership.

Betty is survived by his wife, the former Rosemary Ewen of Estherville; a daughter, JoAnn, who was married Aug. 24 to Maximiliano Gonvalez; a son, James, a law student at Valparaiso University; and one sister, Mrs. John F. Ready of Omaha. Mr. Betty’s parents preceded him in death.

While in Estherville Mr. Betty was a member of the Estherville Rotary Club and was active in Jaycees work. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church.

Mrs. Betty and her son and daughter will arrive in Estherville Wednesday night, and Mrs. S.G. Ewen will come Tuesday morning.

Fuhrman Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. (Estherville Daily News, Estherville, IA, November 24, 1969)