Danville - Bethel Jean Carey, 85, died peacefully at home on October 14, 2008. Born on December 9, 1922 in Danville, Beth loved nature and was an avid gardener, reader and Jeopardy! fan. She enjoyed farm life and raising a few cattle, sheep, and the occasional pig. She cooked, canned, and "put up" produce every summer. She enjoyed her friends from card club and church. She loved watching birds, especially hummingbirds from her front porch. She attended the Millwood Presbyterian Church and the Danville United Methodist Church.
A 1940 graduate of Danville High School, Beth finished cosmetology school and lived in Columbus where she learned to fly a small plane. She moved to Florida and owned her own home. She married John Denis Carey in front of the fireplace in her parents' home in 1952. They lived in Seattle from 1952 to 1963 where son Patrick and daughter Cathleen were born. A former reporter for both the Mount Vernon News and the Wooster Daily Record, Beth loved covering events from town council to school news and sports and features about her friends and Knox County neighbors. She also enjoyed her time as a substitute rural mail carrier. She was thrilled to have one of her photographs go national on the AP wire. Beth was a strong woman who gave friendship and love to others.
She is survived by her husband, John, son Patrick, both of Danville, daughter Kate (Alton) and granddaughter Carey Treyens of Columbus and sister-in-law Dorothy Thompson of Danville, numerous nieces, nephews and grandnieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Burl H. and Sadie M. Thompson, siblings Shirley Ann, Burl "Bud", Bette and her son David, who was killed in the Vietnam War in 1968. No services are planned. Interment will be in Workman Cemetery. The family thanks Hospice of Knox County for its assistance in helping Beth die on her beloved farm. The Fischer Funeral Home in Danville is assisting with arrangements.
