Larry Allen Bettinger

Larry Allen Bettinger, age 80, of Tabor Ridge, near Stafford, Ohio, died Friday, August 16, 2024, at home surrounded by his family.

He was born September 4, 1943, in Canton, Ohio, to the late Elmer and Mabel Feldner Bettinger. He graduated from Elk Local High School in Harrietsville, Ohio and later attended Malone College prior to joining the Air Force where he was a cryptographic maintenance repairman. He served his country from 1964-1968, and during that time he spent 1 year at Da Nang Air Force Base in Vietnam. He was also stationed in San Antonio, Texas and Rome, New York.  After the military, he worked for the NCR Corporation in Cambridge, Ohio, for 28 years as an electronic technician and eventually manager of several departments. While there he received a Manufacturing Award in recognition of outstanding personal contribution to the advancement of manufacturing and excellence of achievement. After retirement, he managed and operated the family farm for many years. He was a member of the Monroe County Farmer’s Bureau and American Legion Post 888. He was also the Franklin Township Fiscal Officer for 8 years as well as serving as one of the Mt. Tabor Cemetery Association Trustees for 30+ years.

Larry was a member of the Stafford Global Methodist Church.  He was a very active member of this church for many years, serving as a teacher, trustee, lay speaker, council chairman, and doing anything that was needed in the church.

Larry was a Past Master of Stafford Lodge 300, Past High Priest of the Cambridge Chapter No. 53 of the Royal Arch Masons of Ohio, Illustrious Master of Guernsey Council No. 74 of the Royal and Select Masons of Ohio, and Past Commander of the Cambridge Commandry No. 47 of Knights Templar of Ohio. He was also the District Deputy Grand Master for the Eighteenth District Association for the years 1986-1987. He was a Night York Cross of Honor recipient and received the Masonic Service Award.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his brothers James, Charles and Stanley Bettinger and his sisters Barbara Scott and Ramona Bettinger.

Larry is survived by his wife, Shila Sue Thompson Bettinger, whom he married September 6, 1964 at Mt. Tabor Ridge Methodist Church; their children Ashley (Lynn) Bettinger, Todd (Lisa) Bettinger, and Sarah (Jeff) Swisher, all of Tabor Ridge, near Stafford; four grandchildren, Guiler Bettinger of Tabor Ridge, Amy McMaster (Caleb) of Searcy, Arkansas, Jacob Swisher of the United States Army stationed in Germany, and Grace Swisher of Tabor Ridge; and one sister Laura Bond of Sarahsville.

Visitation will be held at Watters Funeral home, Woodsfield, Ohio, on Tuesday August 20th from 2-4pm and 6-8pm with Masonic Services at 7:30pm. The funeral will be on Wednesday August 21st at 11am at Watters Funeral Home with Pastor Terry Schmelzenbach officiating, followed by graveside services with Military Funeral Honors conducted by the Wright Patterson Air Force Honor Guard at Mt. Tabor Cemetery on Tabor Ridge near Stafford, Ohio. 

The family would like to express their sincere thanks to the team of Cawley Hospice.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Larry Allen Bettinger, please visit our floral store.