Betty Kegerreis, 100, of Elkhart, passed away on Friday, May 1, 2026, at the Greenleaf Health Campus in Elkhart.

She was born on July 6, 1925, in Elkhart to the late Irvin L. and Tena A. (Jones) Helfrich. Also preceding her in death are a son, David W. Langle and a brother, John R. Helfrich.

As Betty Helfrich, she married Donald W. Langle on October 31, 1947, in Elkhart.  Donald died April 9, 1977.  She then married Kenneth K. Kegerreis on February 24, 1979, in Goshen.  He died May 25, 2008.

Betty is survived by a daughter-in-law, Marcy Langle of Chickasha, OK; two stepdaughters, Karen (Randy) Hayden of Muncie, IN and Janet (Jim) FitzGerald of Stuart, FL: 4 grandchildren, and 5 great grandchildren.

Betty graduated from Jimtown High School in 1943 and began her career as a bookkeeper and secretary at C. G. Conn.  She was then a member of the drum squad for the Cleveland Browns professional football team for a year.  Betty then worked at the Elkhart Chamber of Commerce for a number of years. Her next position was with Kegg Specialty Products where she served as accountant for 15 years.  In her spare time, Betty also served as a private music teacher.

Music was Betty's true passion, having been a member of the Elkhart Municipal Band for 72 years as a percussionist.  She was also a gifted community leader having served as a member and past president of the Elkhart Parks and Recreation Department as well as a member of the City Planning Commission.  An avid environmentalist, Betty loved gardening as well as taking care of the birds that came to visit her daily.  She enjoyed dining out with friends and was a member of the Winers and Diners Club.  Betty was also a longtime member of the First Presbyterian Church in Elkhart.

Visitation for Betty will be held on Saturday, May 16, 2026, from 10 am until 11 am at Hartzler-Gutermuth-Inman Funeral Home where a Celebration of Life Service will be held beginning at 11 a.m.  The Rev. Dr. Sally Wicks will officiate and Betty will be laid to rest at Rice Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: The Humane Society of Elkhart County 54687 C. R. 19 Bristol, IN 46507; Wellfield Botanic Gardens 1011 N. Main St. Elkhart, IN 46514; the Elkhart Parks and Recreation Department 229 S. Second St. Elkhart, IN 46516, The First Presbyterian Church 200 E. Beardsley Ave. Elkhart, IN 46514 or the Elkhart Municipal Band 1618 Tippecanoe Dr. Goshen, IN 46526.

Wellfield Botanic Gardens
1011 N. Main St., Elkhart IN 46514
Tel: 1-574-266-2006
Email: info@wellfieldgardens.org

Elkhart County Humane Society
54687 CR 19, Bristol IN 46507
Web: http://elkhartcountyhumanesociety.org

Elkhart Parks and Recreation Department
229 S. Second St., Elkhart IN 46516

First Presbyterian Church
200 E. Beardsley Ave., Elkhart IN 46514

Elkhart Municipal Band
1618 Tippecanoe Dr., Goshen IN 46526