ELKHART -- Betty L. Pressler, 79, of Elkhart, died at 5:10 a.m. Sunday (Oct. 4, 2009) at Elkhart General Hospital.

She was born Dec. 16, 1929, in Elkhart to Morrell "Sam" and Jessie (Hamman) Mercer. She married John Pressler Sr. on Sept. 21, 1946, in Goshen.

He survives, along with three sons, John Pressler Jr. and Philip Pressler, both of Elkhart and Randy (Linda) Pressler of Bristol; one brother, Morrell "Skeets" (Zig) Mercer of Aztec, N.M.; one half-sister, Marilyn Rich of Elkhart; five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Pressler was preceded in death by one sister, Gloria Anderson; an infant sister, Gwendolyn Mercer; and one half-sister, Dorothea "Dot" Bowers.

She was a homemaker and a member of St. John's Episcopal Church in Elkhart.

Friends may call between 5 and 7 p.m. Wednesday at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart, and one hour before Thursday's 11 a.m. funeral service at Billings Funeral Home, with Rev. Henry Randolph of St. David's Episcopal Church officiating. Burial and graveside services will follow at Rice Cemetery in Elkhart.

Memorials may be given to St. John's Episcopal Church, 226 W. Lexington Ave., Elkhart.