Bette Jean Starner

Bette Jean Miller Starner, age 97, passed peacefully on February 14, 2025, in Marietta, OH. Born to the late Ralph E. Miller and Ilo Mae Baumgardner Miller on October 2, 1927, in Lancaster, OH, Bette grew up on the family farm in Sugar Grove, OH.

Bette graduated from Berne Union High School in 1945, where she was editor of the school paper and a cheerleader. Here she also met the love of her life and future husband, James “Jim” C. Starner. Ironically, she passed away on Valentine’s Day, wearing the pink beads that Jim gave her on their first Valentine’s Day together.

While Jim went to Ohio State and then fought in World War II in the Battle of the Bulge and Operation Varsity, Bette attended White Cross School of Nursing in Columbus, OH to become a Registered Nurse. Jim survived the war, returned to Ohio State, and they married on December 16, 1948. They celebrated 71 years of marriage together before Jim preceded her in death. Bette is survived by her son Jeffrey A. (Liane) Starner and her daughter Jill S. (James-deceased) Harry.

Bette loved and was proud of her 3 granddaughters and 6 great-grandchildren: Esther Starner of Marietta; Rilla (Joseph) Cooper and their children John, James, Ezekiel, and Callie of High Point, NC; and Raeann (Rodney) Boothe and their children Ruby and Redd of Marietta. She is also survived by her step-granddaughter Amie (Randy) Reece and their son Elijah of Golden, CO.

Bette and Jim first settled in Lancaster, OH and then relocated to Marietta in 1956, where they eventually started their own trucking company, Merchants 5 Star, Inc. in 1973. Bette brought her love of horses with her by moving her childhood horse, Don Juan, to Marietta; they kept adding to the herd until they had as many as 12 horses.

Bette supported her children and grandchildren, attending all of their events. She and Jim were always “on the road,” going to all of the Ohio State Buckeye games, both home and away, for many years. They also traveled to Steamboat Springs, CO each year. She loved to play cards and subbed in her daughter’s monthly euchre group as often as they would have her. She attended all her Riverside White Cross Alumni gatherings and all of Jim’s 17th Airborne reunions. She was extremely proud of being a Registered Nurse and kept in close touch with her high school and nursing girlfriends. Later in life, she and Jim had a close group of friends that they traveled and went out to dinner with each week. Bette was also a lifelong member of Christ United Methodist Church.

The family will be present for visitation at the MARIETTA CHAPEL OF CAWLEY & PEOPLES FUNERAL HOME on Saturday, March 1, 2025 at 10 AM until her funeral service at 11 AM with Reverend Don Archer officiating. She will be interred in Forest Rose Cemetery, Lancaster, OH at 2:30 PM that afternoon, with a short graveside service conducted by the family. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Christ United Methodist Church, 301 Wooster Street, Marietta, OH 45750.

Bette’s family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to all of the incredible staff (and residents) at Lancaster House for all the love they showered her with, and also thank Buckeye Hospice for the wonderful care and watchful eyes that they kept over her.

Cawley & Peoples is honored to serve Bette’s family and offers online condolences as well as other resources by visiting their website, www.CawleyandPeoples.com or by following their Facebook page.