Elizabeth Louise Himes

YOUNGSTOWN - Elizabeth L. "Betty" Himes died on Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026.

Betty was born Feb. 13, 1942, in Youngstown, Ohio, a daughter of Robert J. and Lillian Hoffman England. She was raised in Struthers and moved to New Middletown in 1968.

Betty graduated from Struthers High School in 1960 and received a bachelor's degree in education from Youngstown State University in 1964. She began kindergarten student teaching for Struthers in 1964, at Fifth Street Elementary, where she had attended as a child. She then taught third grade for six years, stopping to raise her two children. In 1975, she was asked to take over New Middletown Nursery School at St. Paul's. Betty taught and loved many little ones at this school for eight years. She was praised by the state of Ohio for having a TPP program at her school. She substituted at Fifth Street and St. Nicholas and was a reading tutor at St. Nicholas School, also in the Struthers school system. She held this position for 18 years until retiring to care for her ill husband.

Betty and her loving husband, Michael R. "Mickey" Himes, were married on June 25, 1966, at St. Nicholas Church in Struthers. Mickey passed away Feb. 9, 2006, four months before their 40th anniversary.

Betty was a member of St. Paul's Catholic Church in New Middletown and their 50 Plus Group, which she started. She was a member of a mahjong club, the Book Ends Book Club, and was a lifetime member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority. These clubs, along with educational organizations, clubs, and her many wonderful friends, gave her much enjoyment in life, along with her family. Betty leaves her wonderful family consisting of two children and five grandchildren. Her daughter, Jeanne Francis (William) lives in Columbus, Ohio, with her husband and three children, Avery (Matt) Leaman, Vaughn Francis, and Raygan Francis. Her son, Michael (Lynn) lives in Canfield, Ohio, with his wife and two daughters, Annabelle Himes and Sherlyn Himes. These four granddaughters and one grandson gave her so much joy. She loved to spend time with them, as much as was possible.

She also leaves two step-grandsons, Matthew Francis and Corey Francis; two sisters, Ruthi and Nancy (Rick); a brother, Bob; and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. Betty was preceded in death by her loving husband, Mickey; her significant other, Paul Hvizdos; her parents, and her grandparents.

Family and friends are invited to gather for calling hours from 4 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026, at Higgins-Reardon Poland Chapel, located at 2726 Center Road, Poland, OH 44514. Additional calling hours will be from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, at the funeral home.

Following calling hours Wednesday, a procession will take place from the funeral home to St. Paul the Apostle Roman Catholic Parish, where a service will begin at 10 a.m., with a burial in Dean Hill Cemetery.