Betty C. Leeper, 87

Betty C. Leeper, 87, of Sherrodsville, died Monday, Feb. 1, 2021, in Belle’s House at Carrollton under the care of Community Hospice following a period of declining health.

Born April 15, 1933, in Gilmore, she was the daughter of the late David Howard and Georgia Margaret Bell Naylor. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a sister, Mary Thorley; a brother, David Naylor; and a brother-in-law, Scott Toot.

She retired in 1998 from Conotton Valley Union Local School District after 17 years of service after working as a teacher’s aide, and finally as the head cook at Bowerston Elementary School. She was a faithful member of Dover First Christian Church. Among her most cherished activities were camping and square dancing with her husband Bill. She was a member of the Star Promenaders and Country Campers Square Dance clubs. She spent many hours creating a variety of crafts she and her husband would present at various craft shows. She was an excellent seamstress and was quite adept at painting. For many years, she made the cheerleader and majorette uniforms for Conotton Valley and Indian Valley North high schools. She was an avid baker and cook and was well known for creating an unforgettable peanut butter pie. Her family was most proud of the fact she and her husband, Bill, did virtually everything together. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother and will be missed by her family, her cats, her circle of friends and the racoons she would feed at her back door.   

She is survived by her loving husband, William O. Leeper, whom she married Dec. 7, 1973; two sons, Kevin (Mary) Neidig RPh of Mineral City, and Jeff (Cathryn) Neidig RPh of New Philadelphia; her five grandchildren, Brittney Jergovich of Hudson, Jordan Neidig of Buffalo, NY, Briana Neidig of Mineral City, Aaron (Ashley) Neidig PharmD, RPh of Granville and Mrs. Natalie (Seth) Oldham RN of Leetonia; two great-granddaughters, Adelynne and Amelia Neidig of Granville; a sister, Nelva Toot of Carrollton; a brother, Paul (Patty) Naylor of Sherrodsville; a sister-in-law, Sara Naylor a current resident of Oak Pointe Nursing Center; brother-in-law, Francis A. “Bud” (Rhonda) Leeper, Jr. of New Philadelphia; sister-in-law, Mrs. Linda Tanner of Jewett; and numerous nieces and nephews.  

Funeral services will be conducted Monday, Feb, 8, at 1 p.m.  in Dover First Christian Church with Minister Josh Robinson officiating. Interment will follow in Sherrodsville Memorial Gardens. Calling hours will be held Sunday, Feb. 7, from 2 – 4 p.m. in Baxter-Gardner Funeral Home at Sherrodsville. Additional calling hours will be observed Monday from 11 a.m. until time of services at 1 p.m. in the church. Contributions in Betty’s memory may be made to Community Hospice, 716 Commercial Ave. S.W., New Philadelphia, OH 44663 or Dover First Christian Church, 3029 N. Wooster Ave., Dover, OH 44622. To leave an online condolence message, visit www.baxtergardner.com. 

Special thanks to Betty’s great niece, Mindy, and her staff at Belle’s House for their wonderful, compassionate care.