VINTON  Betty L. Michael, 73, of Vinton, died Thursday, September 18, 2008 at the Vinton Lutheran Home following an extended illness.  A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 AM, Tuesday, September 23, 2008 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Urbana with Farther Dwayne Thoman, her nephew, as Celebrant.  Interment at St. Mary’s Spencer Grove Cemetery, Urbana.  Friends may call at Phillips Family Center (605 Second Avenue) in Vinton from 5 – 7 PM on Monday, September 22, 2008.  Rosary devotions to follow at 7:00 PM.
     Betty was born March 8, 1935 to Nicholas and Eva (Long) Hess in Vinton.  She graduated from Lincoln High School in 1954.  Betty was united in marriage to Gerald Michael on June 20, 1955 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Vinton. 
     For 22 years Betty and Gerald owned and operated Michael’s Country Café in Vinton.  She was a member of the St. Mary’s Catholic Church and also the Vinton Legion Ladies Auxiliary.  She enjoyed gardening, traveling and spending time with her family.
     In addition to her husband, Betty is survived by her son, Jerry (Jacki) Michael of Urbana; her daughters, Cathy (Jeff) Clouse of Dysart, Barb (Kevin) Rogers of Cedar Falls and Lisa (Jeff) Winsor of Vinton; fifteen grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; a brother, Marvin (Liz) Hess of Waterloo and several nieces and nephews.
     Betty was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Lola Westendorf, Lucille Raines and Bonnie Durnam; brother, Richard Thomsan; and son-in-law, Kyle Tharp.
     The casket will remain closed at all times.  Memorial gifts may be directed to The Alzheimer’s Association or the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.