Betty M. Reed-Wheatley, 88, died Jan. 7, 2012, at Hospice House, Hutchinson. She was born April 4, 1923, in Hutchinson, to Carl and Harriett Brower Ellis.
Betty graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1941. She was a paraprofessional for Nickerson School District #309, a member of Mitchell Chapel United Methodist Church, Delos V. Smith Senior Center, and Ark Valley Good Sam's Camping Club.

In Feb. 1942, she married Jay Reed. He died in Oct. 1995. They celebrated 54 years together. On Aug. 5, 1997, Betty married Leroy Wheatley in Hutchinson. They celebrated 14 years together. Leroy survives. Other survivors include: daughters, Margaret (Roy) Hale of Hutchinson, Barbara (Charles) Jones of Lee's Summit, Mo., Jaylene Reed of Kingman; grandchildren, Blake (Lori) Welch of Hutchinson, Brannon (Tanya) Welch of Hutchinson, Lisa Jones-Heller (Jeff) of Lee's Summit, Mo., Ian Bowen of Lawrence; stepsister, Elva-Lee (Murray) Gulliver of Hutchinson; and numerous great-grandchildren. Betty was preceded in death by her parents and a brother.

Funeral service will be 2 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2012, at Elliott Mortuary Chapel, with Pastor Nancy Proffitt officiating. Burial will be in Fairlawn Burial Park, Hutchinson. Friends may call from 3 to 9 p.m. Sunday and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday with family present to receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday at Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson. Memorials may be made to American Diabetes Association or to Hospice of Reno County, in care of the mortuary.