Carl Bettinger

Carl Bettinger, age 90, of Coldwater, passed away Thursday, September 18, 2025 at Mercer County Community Hospital in Coldwater. He was born on December 18, 1934 in Coldwater to the late Arthur & Regina (Hemmelgarn) Bettinger. He married  his beloved wife of 61 years, Ruth (Shockman) Bettinger and she survives in Coldwater.

He is also survived by children, Kevin Bettinger of Coldwater, Charmaine Bettinger of Coldwater, Michelle Clune of Coldwater, and Cheryl & Les Nichols of Rockford;  grandchildren, Jacob & Maya Bettinger, Mikayla & Tevyn Osborne, Brooke Clune, Kendra Clune, Kelsey Nichols & Fiancé Justan Felver, Eddie Nichols, Audrey Nichols, Megan Nichols, and Lindsay Nichols; great-grandchildren, Weston and Roselynn Osborne; and sister, Grace Rutschilling of Coldwater,

Carl was preceded in death by a son-in-law, Brian Clune; and siblings and in-laws, Herman “Bud” & Rita Bettinger, Clarina & Serf Lefeld, Lucille & Harold “Bob” Bergman, Paul & Angela Bettinger, Marguerite & Clete Griesdorn, William Bettinger, Mary Ellen Bettinger, Paul Rutschilling, Clete & Norma Bettinger, Bob & Barb Bettinger, and LaVern & Marlene Bettinger.

A Coldwater graduate of 1953, he drove a bus for Coldwater Exempted Village Schools for 30 years.  Retired as a dairy farmer of Cal-Ru Farms but never missed a chance for a ride down the back lane or one last time in the fields.

Carl was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church and served there as a lay presider, funeral mass server, Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, CCD teacher, and member of the cemetery council, and Men’s Holy Name Society. Carl was a member and former Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus. Member and a former Faithful Navigator of St. Gaspar Del Bufalo 4th Degree Knights of Columbus. He was also a member of the Coldwater Eagles, Coldwater VFW, and past president of the Mercer County Farm Bureau.

Carl was a strong man of faith, community servant to all sorts of organizations and causes. He loved spending time with his family, especially watching his kids and grandkids sports and activities. He loved to entertain, lead in sing-alongs, impersonate entertainers, and always wanted to see everyone smile. Carl loved dancing, especially to big band music, playing softball for over 43 years, and being a part of a friends pinochle card club for 60 years.

He always claimed to be a “professional Piddler”. He could fix anything and used whatever he had on hand to make it work. He did not waste anything, it could always be used.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM on Monday, September 22 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Coldwater. Burial will follow in St. Elizabeth Cemetery. Friends may call on Sunday, September 21, 2025 from 1 PM to 6 PM and on Monday from 9 AM to 10 AM at the Hogenkamp Funeral Home in Coldwater. Condolences may be left at hogenkampfh.com