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Betty Ellen Parker Hillard

Betty Ellen Parker Hillard, 91, of Matthews, NC, formerly of Petrolia, PA, passed away Friday, February 13, 2015, at her home.

She was born October 12, 1923 in Phillipston, PA., the daughter of David Conrad Irwin and Iola Ruth (Reep) Irwin.

Betty graduated from Karns City High School in 1941 and was a member of Fairview United Presbyterian Church. During the war she worked as a lab technician in Petrolia. She graduated from the Butler Beauty School in 1947 and for two years owned her own beauty shop in Fairview. Betty's real passion, however, was exploring genealogy. She loved learning about her family and through her research discovered that her family descended from Mark Antony, the well-known politician from the Roman Empire who lived from 83-30 BC. She was also able to prove that several of her ancestors served in the American Revolution, which allowed her to join the Butler Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She retired to Ormond Beach, FL in 1995 and moved to Matthews, NC in 2008 to be with her daughter, Judith. Aside from genealogy, Betty's favorite hobbies included reading, investing and watching the stock market.

She is survived by her daughters, Judith Ann Parker, of Matthews, NC, and Ruth Ellen Ramirez and husband, Raymond, of Homestead, FL; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; first husband, Edward J. Parker, who died June 15, 1980; second husband, Dr. Charles Hillard, whom she married 1981 and who died in 2008; son, Bruce Edward Parker, who died in 1997; brothers, Laird Irwin, John Irwin and David "Buster" Irwin; and sister, Ruth Ann Geibel.

The family will receive friends from 10 AM until the time of funeral services at 11 AM on Tuesday, February 17, 2015 at Bauer-Hillis Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 102 S. Argyle St., Petrolia, with the Rev. Harper Brady officiating.

Burial will be in Bear Creek Cemetery, Petrolia, PA.

Contributions can be made in Betty's honor to Fairview United Presbyterian Church, 109 Petrolia St., Petrolia, PA 16050.

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