Betty Jane Sproull went peacefully to be with the Lord on Saturday June 29, 2013 at the age of 92. She was born May 18, 1921 in Tarentum, Pennsylvania to Jacob and Gertrude Kremer. She graduated from Arnold (Pennsylvania) High School in 1939 and married Richard William Sproull in October 1943. They had 59 wonderful years together and were the parents of identical twin sons, Richard Frederick and Dennis Albert, and also a daughter, Barbara Ann. Betty Jane?s husband, Richard, was a petroleum reservoir engineer for Texaco in both Salem, Illinois and Tulsa, Oklahoma where they lived for many years. Together with the love of her life, husband Richard, they travelled all over the United States and many overseas countries. She earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from McKendree College, Lebanon, Illinois; a Master of Science Degree in Education from Southern Illinois University; and a Reading Specialist Master?s Degree from Northeastern Oklahoma State University.
Betty Jane taught music in the schools in Salem and Centralia, Illinois and later was a reading specialist for Jenks Public Schools, Jenks, Oklahoma, where she was President of the Jenks? Classroom Teachers? Association and represented Jenks Schools at the National Education Association Annual Convention in St. Paul, Minnesota. She was elected ?Teacher of the Year? for Jenks Schools in 1982. She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, Alpha Delta Kappa, and Kappa Kappa Iota Teachers? Philanthropic Sororities.
Betty Jane was an avid bridge player, loved to play duplicate bridge, travel, read, square dance and round dance to cues. She was active in the Society of Petroleum Engineers? Wives? Association and served as President. She played piano and organ her entire life, and was church organist for St. Theresa?s Church in Salem, Illinois for many years. She played for civic events, style shows, horse shows, and was a member of the Sooner Chapter of the American Theater Organ Society and was the featured organist for several programs there. She was a member of St. Bernard?s Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma and was interim organist for both St. Pius and St. Bernard?s churches in Tulsa.
In recent years since 2004, Betty Jane was living at Montereau in Warren Woods Retirement Center in Tulsa and was very active there, especially in the musical activities. She was the church organist for the Catholic and Protestant Sunday services and piano accompanist for the Montreau Chorus. She also presented several concerts on the piano and organ, and organized and presented holiday programs including other Montereau residents.
Betty Jane loved life and had a zest for living, loving her family and enjoying her many friends. She is survived by sons, Dick Sproull and wife Kathy; Dennis Sproull and wife Joan; a daughter, Barbara Hatcher Woody and husband Chris; grandchildren, Amy Sheumaker and husband Dan; Sara Ralstin and husband Russell; Gabe Sproull and fiance? Megan; Caitlin Villanueva and husband Jeff; Bryan Sproull; Rob Sproull and wife Sarah; Sarah Salser and husband Eric; Anne Cole and husband Mike; Bethany Hatcher and Abel Lozoria; Rachel Hatcher; great grandchildren, Kelsey and Laif Sheumaker; Michael and Stormy Ralstin; Bryson Villanueva; Reagan Sproull; Thomas and Matthew Sproull; Allison Salser; Sister-in-laws, Marge Kremer and Clemie Sproull; and many nieces and nephews.
A celebration of Betty Jane?s life will be held at Montereau with a reception following. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Montereau Benevolence Fund or the American Heart Association in her memory. Do not mourn Betty Jane?s passing for she is happy again, dancing in the arms of her husband, Richard, in the presence of God our Father.