Obituaries12/8/1941

Death Takes J. R. Bettes, Manager of Sparta Co-op

Dies Unexpectedly At Farm Home
Sparta-- Jesse R. Bettes, 56, for22 years manager of the Sparta Co-operative and Shipping association, died unexpectedly Sunday at his farm home northwest of here where he had resided 3 0 years.

Mr. Bettes was born at Sparta Aug. 13, 1885, the son of William G. and Lucetta J. Bettes. He was graduated from the local high school in 1904 and married Mary E. McConnell on June 12, 1907.
He was active in the Methodist church, of which he was a member, having been on the board of stewards and treasurer of the board of trustees. He was instrumental in clearing the mortgage of the church and for a quarter of a century taught a young peoples Sunday school class.
Mr. Bettes had been director of the Michigan Livestock Exchange and was vice president of the Michigan Independent Grain Growers association.
Surviving are the widow, Mary; a son, Howard at home; a daughter, Mrs. Ralph E. Barnum of Detroit, and a brother, George W. Bettes of Sparta.
The body will repose at the home until Tuesday noon when it will be taken to the Bettes chapel. It will remain there until Wednesday noon when it will be removed to the Methodist church where it will lie in state until 2:30 p.m., the hour of funeral. Burial will be in Greenwood cemetery.