DEFIANCE, OHIO – Betty E. Florence, age 77, of Defiance, passed away on December 12, 2025. She was born on May 31, 1948, to the late Charles and Mildred (Mansfield) Retcher. She attended Ayersville High School and later married her lifelong sweetheart, Robert Florence, on December 22, 1963, in Defiance, Ohio. Betty spent her career serving in a variety of roles within the community. She proudly served as a school bus driver for Defiance, Ayersville, and Northeastern Local Schools. She was also active in the community, serving as a past president of Right to Life and the Ayersville Music Boosters. Among her many positions, Betty especially cherished her time as a department manager for Elder Beerman.

In her free time, Betty found her greatest joy in spending time with her children and grandchildren. She loved camping on the family property, relaxing near the pond, and enjoyed cheating at cards and family games. Betty will be remembered for her kind heart, her generosity, and her joy in giving to those in need and to the people she loved most.

Betty leaves to cherish her memory, her husband of 62 years, Robert Florence; children, Janet (Ken) Conley, Paula (Rick) Bolman, Joe Florence (son and husband to her late daughter-in-law Julie Florence), Jill (John) Lawson; sister, Shirley (Ed) Hohenbrink; sister-in-law, Cheryl Retcher (wife to her late brother Ronald Retcher); grandchildren, Jared (Hillary) Conley, Kayla (Drew) Loomis, Ricky (Samantha) Bolman, Nicole (Connor) English, Joshua Bolman, Jessica (Athena) Florence, Derek (Becca) Florence, Courtney Lawson, John Lawson Jr., and Sophia Lawson; great grandchildren, Christian Conley, Kennedy Conley, Josias Loomis, Theo Loomis, Clara Loomis, Asa Loomis, Ellie Bolman, Grace Florence, Caroline Florence, and Julia Florence.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by a son, Charles E. Florence; a brother, Charles Retcher Jr.; and a sister, MaryAnn Retcher.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, December 18, 2025, from 5-8 PM at Free Christian Church, 20799 State Route 15, Continental, OH 45831. A funeral service will be held on Friday, December 19, 2025, at 10 AM with a visitation one hour prior to the service at the church, officiated by Pastor Jimmy Fry. Burial will follow at Riverview Memory Gardens, Defiance, OH.

Flowers may be delivered to the church on Thursday, between 2-5 PM. Memorial contributions may be made to Right to Life, CHP of Defiance, or to the church, in honor of Betty. For additional information and to view Betty’s online obituary, please visit www.churchfuneralsdirect.com.

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