Betty Jean Wheeler Sonricker

Mom was born at Warsaw Hospital, Warsaw, NY on Feb 24, 1938. She grew up in Rock Glen, NY with her parents Clarence and Gladys Davis Wheeler and an older sister Peggy. They all attended the North Gainesville Methodist Church. Numerous kids lived within walking distance and she spent her days playing with them. All the kids attended a two room school in town through 8th grade. Somewhere along the way, Mom skipped two grades. After that she attended Warsaw High School, graduating in 1954 at the age of 16. While in school, she sang in the chorus and was a cheerleader. In her spare time, she roller skated at Silver Lake, went to local dances, and babysat. She met her future husband, George (Bud) Sonricker at a dance in the American Legion Hall at Warsaw Park. Mom loved travel and wanted to be a stewardess. Back then, you had to have a bachelor's degree to become one. Grandma and Grandpa thought that was a frivolous career choice and refused to help her go to college. She ended up being a bank teller in Warsaw. Dad and Mom decided to get married on Nov 6, 1954 at the North Gainesville Methodist Church. Immediately afterward, Dad left for basic training at Ft. Knox for the Army. Mom stayed with her parents. Dad was assigned to a tank unit in Baumholder, Germany and mom eventually followed him over there, flying by herself from New York City. Both agreed that their time in Germany were the best days of their lives. They were young, didn't know they were poor, and just lived life. Kevin was born there on Jul 27, 1956. They all came home in Nov of that year and Dad was discharged. The young family lived in apartments in Attica and Varysburg for a few years. Kathy was born on Apr 22, 1958, then Dave on May 1, 1959, and finally Di on Feb 24, 1961. The family moved to Dad's old home on the farm in Attica where he helped with the farm and became a corrections officer. Mom raised us, which was a serious job in itself. As we grew, she got us involved in 4-H, church choir, and other activities. We attended the Immanuel United Church of Christ every Sunday and had lunch afterward at our grandparent's house in Rock Glen. Mom loved to bowl and was on a Friday night league. That was her break for the week and she needed it. As we got older, she and Dad would party with friends at the Moose Club in Warsaw on Saturday nights. Mom became our biggest cheerleader as we got into sports in high school, rarely missing one of our games or matches. She always brought cookies or some other baked goods for our teams. Dad eventually got out of the dairy farm business and turned their land into a Christmas Tree farm. Mom mowed all summer and made wreaths to sell. Once Dad retired from the prison, they were able to travel a lot more, especially since they got reduced airline ticket prices because Dave was a flight attendant. They visited us around the country and took some trips to Europe. Mom fell in love with river cruises in Germany. Several grandchildren and great grandchildren were born over the years and she loved to play with them and hear their stories. Poor health eventually forced them into assisted living at the Manor House in Batavia. Mom's health continued to decline and she spent her last few months at the NYS Veteran's home in Batavia. Her last breath was taken on Aug 18, 2024.

Mom talks about her life: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lTsxocGKg1u4em-XuJN-JXMU1YlmfmWR/view?usp=drive_link