Betty Lou Jankowski / Aug. 1, 1928-Feb. 12, 2011

Published 7:25 pm Sunday, February 13, 2011

DECATUR — Betty Lou Jankowski, 82, of Decatur, passed away Saturday, Feb. 12, 2011, in Bronson Methodist Hospital, Kalamazoo.

Betty was born Aug. 1, 1928, in Coloma, the daughter of Joseph and Mary (Kibler) Nigro.

She was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church, Decatur, Decatur Study Club, Coloma’s graduating class of 1946 and a former 4-H sewing leader.

She married Leonard A. Jankowksi in St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Watervliet. Her husband preceded her in death Jan. 6, 1999.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Timothy Jankowski; and four sisters, Eleanor Smith, Virginia Weber, Laverne Bale-Roberts and Lucille LaVanway.

Survivors include: two daughters, Paulette (Al) Rybarski and Debora (Robert) Pike, both of Decatur; five grandchildren, Suzette (Joel) Stambek of Decatur, Victoria (James) Green of Vandalia, Kristy Rybarski of Chicago, Amy (Daniel) Wiggins and Steven (Amy) Pike, both of Dowagiac; nine great-grandchildren, Brooks, Austin and Dylan Green, T.J. and Matthew Stambek, Zachary, Parker and Aidan Wiggins and Mason Pike; and a brother, Donald (Hilde) Nigro of Benton Harbor.

Friends may call Monday from 4 to 8 p.m. at Newell Funeral Home, Decatur. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Holy Family Catholic Church, Decatur, with Fr. Donald Potts, celebrant.

Burial will be in Hamilton Cemetery, Decatur.

Memorials may be made to Holy Family Scholarship Fund or the charity of the donor’s choice.