Betty Hilbert-O’Brien

Betty Hilbert-O’Brien, age 95, of Wyoming, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, July 24, 2024. Born in Red Oak, Oklahoma, on December 23, 1928, Betty was the daughter of James Thomas and Gladys June (Allen) Gallagher.  

It was at the University of Oklahoma, where Betty graduated and met her husband of 35 years, Ralph Childs. Shortly after graduation they moved to Michigan. She worked for Wyoming Public Schools as a teacher, principal, and Reading Director for 29 years. Betty served as President of the Michigan Reading Association in 1977.  

Betty was a member of the Grand Rapids Women’s City Club, Bible Study Fellowship, Women’s Book Club, and The Rush Creek Women’s Morning Bible Study. She was very active in her church and believed in supporting missionaries and charities. She enjoyed deer hunting, reading, culture and arts, opera, theater and travel.

Ever the adventure seeker, Betty loved to travel the world. Before starting her career in education, she worked for Braniff Airlines. As a lifelong learner, she enjoyed cultivating a greater understanding of the world by sharing her passion for traveling with her spouses, children and grandchildren. 

Betty met her second husband, Charlie Hilbert, through a matchmaking publication. They celebrated 22 years of wedded bliss together, splitting their time between Pentwater and Wyoming, before his passing in Spring of 2013. One of their most memorable excursions was a three-month-long voyage around the world!

Later, she married Dick O’Brien, a former colleague from Wyoming Public Schools.  They reminisced and laughed together six years before he passed away in 2021.  

Above all, she loved spending time with her friends and family!  

She was preceded in death by her husbands: Ralph Childs, Charles Hilbert, and Leo O’Brien; sister, Barbara (Dan) Acosta; and her parents and  step-daughter, Vicki Hilbert.

She will be lovingly remembered by her children: Cynthia and Larry Howard, James and Jill Childs, Catherine and Craig Denton; grandchildren: Joseph (Christine) Tatsch, Elizabeth Tatsch, Danielle Tatsch, David Tatsch and their father, Terry Tatsch, Katie Childs, Alicia (Chad) Lutz, Michael (Olivia) Denton, Rachael Denton;  great grandchildren: J.R. Lutz, Cole Lutz, Danzig Tatsch, Peter Denton, Jenessee Otterbridge, and one on the way; step-children: Gary and Vicki Hilbert, Sandy Hilbert, Cindy (Bill) Syrek, David O’Brien, Mary (Matthew) Hauschild, Daniel (Mellie) O’Brien, Maureen O’Brien, Thomas (Robin) O’Brien; many step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, book-club members and church families from Rush Creek Bible Church and Pentwater First Baptist Church.

According to her wishes, cremation has taken place and a celebration of Betty’s life will be held 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 30, 2024 at Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Home, 4145 Chicago Drive SW Grandville, with Pastor Cameron Townley officiating. Betty greatly enjoyed entertaining family and friends. She especially enjoyed tea parties, so a tea party will be held following the service at the MKD Event Center to honor her (hats are optional but encouraged). Interment will be at Graceland Memorial Gardens. Relatives and friends may meet the family Tuesday from 2-3 p.m. at the  funeral home.  Those who wish, may make memorial contributions to the Mission Fund at Rush Creek Bible Church.