Elizabeth "Betty" Carol (Paxton) Koomler

Elizabeth “Betty” Carol Paxton Koomler, bravely and gracefully took on a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer this past October. She continued to live to her fullest with a fighting spirit and joyful attitude until her passing on Feb. 23, 2026, at her home in Terrace Ridge Apartments, Angola, IN.

Betty was born the youngest of four children to Bob and Florence Paxton in the family bungalow on September 22, 1935, in Ft. Wayne, IN.  Betty attended Hillcrest Grade School from 1st-8th grade where she graduated with honors. She remembered standing for a moment of silence when Japan bombed Pearl Harbor in first grade and then gathering leaflets being dropped by airplane when World War II was over when she was 10 years old.

She met her high school sweetheart, Don Koomler, when attending Elmhurst High School where she held various leadership roles, participated in the Girls Athletic Association and excelled academically.

After graduating in May of 1953, she began a secretarial career at Western & Southern Insurance Co.

Don and Betty had a beautiful love story and are now reunited. Betty received her first Valentine from Don when she was 15 years old. The high school sweethearts were married on Feb. 26, 1955, at Simpson United Methodist Church in Ft. Wayne. They celebrated their first wedding anniversary with the birth of their oldest son, Daniel Joe Koomler, on Feb. 22, 1956.

Don’s profession of floral design eventually moved them to Angola where they later co-owned and opened Don & Dick’s Flowers alongside close friends, Dick and Pat Waters. Betty helped out at the flower shop but was a stay-at-home mother until their youngest was 14 years old returning to the work force including employment at Cameron Memorial Community Hospital and years later as a beloved daycare teacher.

Don and Betty were very active members at the Angola United Methodist Church where Betty was still a member for nearly 70 years. Being a part of their church family and raising their children there was so important to them both.

Betty greatly loved her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, siblings, all that were her family and so many very special friends. Her sense of humor and her caring spirit for others made her a steadfast and trusted friend to all. She was an avid reader, loved being active, and enjoyed attending social events with her Terrace Ridge friends. Faithfully, Betty spent time daily studying devotions, reading her Bible and praying.

Betty walked with Jesus all of her life and let that light shine through on all she did and on all those she knew and loved. She was an incredible prayer warrior. Those who were able to know her were truly blessed. Her deep belief was that all roads lead to Jesus. Betty will be greatly missed by family and friends. Betty is survived by her son, Gregory (Nancy) Koomler of Hudson, Indiana; her daughter, Amy (Rod) Green of Portage, Michigan; a daughter-in-law, Sharon (Jerry Grant) Koomler of East Chatham, New York; and her sister, Marilyn Hutchins, of West Lafayette, Indiana; She deeply loved her grandchildren: Kelly Stone, Zachary Koomler, Jacob Koomler, Beth Koomler, Sarah Koomler (Karl Semrau), Jen Zundel (Brad), Kristy Green (Sean Pasnik), Paxton Richardson (Jake), Margaret Bolen and Larry Bauldauf Jr. as well as twelve great-grandchildren. She loved her nieces and nephews as well as many very close friends she called family.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Don Koomler; parents, Bob and Florence Paxton; one son, Daniel Koomler; one sister, Shirley Borton; and one brother, Glen Paxton as well as several brothers- in- law, sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews.

Betty’s children would like to thank Heart To Heart Hospice for their amazing team of steadfast loving care for their mom.

Visitation will be 5-7 PM, Thursday, March 5, 2026, at the Weicht Funeral Home, Angola, Indiana.

Funeral Services will be 11:00 AM, Friday, March 6, 2026, at the Angola United Methodist Church with Pastor Chuck Fenwick officiating.

Burial will be in Circle Hill Cemetery, Angola, Indiana.

Memorials may be made in Betty’s memory to Heart to Heart Hospice, 5646 Coventry Lane, Fort Wayne, IN 46804.