Betty Lou Stahr, age 85, a resident of Wheaton, IL, died Saturday, September 9, 2017, in her home, surrounded by her family. She was born November 11, 1931 in Flushing, New York.

Betty grew up in New Jersey where she lived with her family until her parents, Frank and Lillian Ewen, moved to Saudi Arabia when she was 17 years old. She remained to finish high school in Springfield, New Jersey, living with extended family. She then attended and graduated from Providence Bible Institute (now Gordon College) in Rhode Island. Betty and James Stahr were married in 1952. In 1954 they were commended to Christian ministry and moved to Newfoundland to do evangelistic and church building work in the fishing villages along the coast. In 1958 they moved to Prince Edward Island where they raised their family. Betty was involved in ministry to women and children, camp work and was Secretary for the Emmaus Correspondence School in the Maritime provinces.

Betty moved with her family to Wheaton, Illinois, in 1971. She attended Bethany Chapel and taught a women's Bible Study for many years. When her children were grown, she worked at Conservative Baptist Foreign Mission Society. Betty was a devoted wife, mother, friend and homemaker who was known for her hospitality, her faithful prayer and her good cooking.

Betty is survived by her husband, James Stahr, son, James (Melissa) Stahr, Jr. of Wheaton, and three daughters, Rebecca (Wayne) MacDougall of Wheaton, Rachel (Michael) Maletich of Wheaton, and Ruth (Matthew) MacPherson of Morrisville, NC.

She is survivied by 14 grandchildren: Steven (Annie) Stahr and Taunya (Michael) Madden, Melanie (Ben) Stackhouse, Lisa (Sandy) Prosper, Kathryn and Nate MacDougall, Hannah and Peter (Carly) Maletich, Esther (Brian) Carrick, David, Daniel (Victoria), Ian (Deanna), Stephen and Grace MacPherson. 12 great-grandchildren: Madeline (Adam) Hild, Timothy, Megan and Isaac Madden, Alex, Eli, Gavin and Laura Stahr, Leah, Eric and Carley Stackhouse and Frea MacPherson and 1 great-great grandchild: Audrey Hild. She is also survived by a brother Robert (Barbara) Ewen and sister Lyn (Ed) Brown.

She was preceded in death by her parents, a grandchild, Sarah Stahr and a daughter-in-law, Brenda Stahr.

Visitation will be held at Hultgren Funeral Home in Wheaton on Saturday, September 16 from 2 to 6 pm and at Bethany Chapel , Wheaton on Sunday at 2 pm, followed by a memorial service at 3 pm. Interment will take place on Monday, September 18, 2017 at Forest Home Cemetery in Forest Park, IL. We will gather just inside the west gate at 10:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be directed to the Kurdish Literature Association designated to the printing of the Kurdish New Testament or Bethany Christian Services .