Betty L. Eickhoff

Nobody loved Tipp City more than Betty Barnhart Eickhoff.  The unofficial town historian peacefully passed away in her sleep on Saturday, December 17, at the age of 102.  A lifelong Tipp City resident, she traced her ancestry back to the first settler in what is now downtown Tipp City.  Born on August 5, 1920, Betty was the oldest of 4 children born to Cordella Mae Hoover and Milton Barnhart and she had many happy memories of growing up in Tipp City in spite of the tragic loss of her father when she was 14.

Betty was a lifelong member of the Tipp City United Methodist Church where she enjoyed participating in numerous ministries.  She started dating her future husband, Bill Eickhoff, while working for Detrick Auto Sales upon graduation from high school.  They were married in 1939 and enjoyed 67 wonderful years together. Betty worked at Monroe Federal Savings and for the draft office during WWII while Bill served in the Navy.  

They were blessed with 3 children; Jill Bashore (Thomas), Lynn Clark and Mark (Carol); 7 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.  They took great joy in creating a home where family and friends were always welcome to gather.  She had an especially close relationship with her 17 nieces and nephews and their families.  Later, Betty worked as a secretary in several of the Tipp City Schools.  She loved being around the students, supporting the teachers, and joking with the custodial staff.  She retired from that position so she could enjoy spending time with her grandchildren.

Betty and Bill loved to travel to places like Europe, Israel, Alaska, Hawaii, and much of the rest of the United States.  They made countless trips to Minnesota and North Carolina, rarely missing a grandchild’s birthday or special event.  They were also fortunate to have grandchildren in Tipp City.  In retirement they enjoyed ballroom dancing and line dancing, and together they spent countless hours doing genealogy research on both of their families.  

Betty loved a good family party, especially if it involved silly skits.  Among her more famous roles were:  Minnie Pearl, a welder, Carnac the Magnificent, the Pink Panther, a rapper, a “Trashy Woman,” and Vanna White.  She was a hospital volunteer, a member of both the Tipp and Vandalia Senior Citizens, and Tipp Historical Society where she played an active role in the purchase of the Tipp Historical Museum. In 2018, she was honored to be the Grand Marshal of the Tipp City Mum Festival.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frings & Bayliff Funeral Home where visitors will be received from 5 - 8 PM on Tuesday, December, 20.  A celebration of Betty’s life will take place at 12:30 PM on Wednesday, December 21, at the Tipp City United Methodist Church. Pastor Bonita Ritchie officiating. Contributions may be made in loving memory of Betty to the church or to Tippecanoe Historical Society, 20 N. 3rd Street, Tipp City, Ohio 45371.