Bettye J. Mihina, age 96, passed away at Parkview Home on January 8, 2022.

Bettye was born in 1925 and lived in various parts of the Southwest and Midwest, before settling in Michigan.  In 1950 she earned a Bachelor's degree in Chemistry from Michigan State University.  While at Michigan State she married Joseph Mihina and raised two children with him in Illinois.

Bettye was hired at G.D. Searle and Co., in Skokie, Illinois, in 1950 as a lab technician.  She worked her way up through the organization to Director of Quality Assurance, retiring from Searle in 1991.

Throughout her life, Bettye was an avid traveler, particularly enjoying travel by train with her husband, Joe.  Bettye also had a passion for gardening, cultivating beautiful and artistic flower gardens every year.  She was a student of the culinary arts, enthusiastically taking classes and regularly preparing and presenting new and innovative recipes.  She was also an outstanding baker.  Later in life, Bettye became a skillful quilter.  When her children were young, Bettye was a Girl Scout leader and involved with PTA.

Bettye was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Joe, and her daughter, Karen.  She is survived by her son, Steve.

Visitation will be on Saturday, January 29 ^th beginning at 11am followed by a service at 12pm all at Walker Mortuary, Freeport, IL.

A memorial has been established in her name for the Mercy Home for Boys and Girls of Chicago 1140 W. Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60607. Condolences can be left for the family at www.walkermortuary.com .