Beatrice “Bea” B. Bechtol, 79, of Montpelier since 1968, died late Monday evening, May 6th at the Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She was born on January 24th 1934 in Ransom Township, Michigan to Clarence C. and Stella L. (Parney) Johnston. Bea attended Pittsford High School. On July 27th 1968 she married Norman D. Bechtol in Montpelier, Ohio, and he survives.
Bea worked at Hayes-Albion Corporation in West Unity on the production line and as an inspector from 1964-1981. She then retired from Pent Industries in Hamilton, Indiana after 9 years on the production line. Bea was a member of the Women of the Montpelier Moose. Bea was an avid Bingo and card player. She enjoyed being a homemaker and raising a family, especially in later years watching her grandchildren grow up.
Bea is survived by her husband Norman, six children, Lewis (Sharron) Entrikin of Pittsford, Michigan, Janiece (Rodney) Stoy of Montpelier, Kenneth (Luann) Entrikin of Montpelier, Janet (Dave) Custer of Montpelier, Debbie (Jerry) Jackson of Bryan and Peggy (Tim) Osterhout of Frederick, Oklahoma; eighteen grandchildren, numerous great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren; two brothers Clarence (Carolyn) Johnston of Hudson, Michigan and Robert (Gail) Johnston of Hillsdale, Michigan; two sisters Hazel Rothlisberger of Reading, Michigan and Mary Frank of Waldron, Michigan; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, two sons Eddie and Lowell Entrikin; two sisters Opal Kosier and Wanda Russell; and one brother Richard Johnston.