Betty Jane Tilley

Betty Jane Tilley, 79, of Zanesville, passed away peacefully in her hometown of Zanesville at 9:30 a.m. Sunday, September 19, 2010 at Genesis Extended Care & Rehab Center, Zanesville. She was born August 16, 1931, in Springfield, a daughter of Gladys Willmeth Runkle of London, Ohio and the late Emerson (Bud) Runkle. Betty was an accomplished square dance caller and country music singer. Betty contributed much of her time to the Zanesville area Senior Centers and performed with the Betty Tilley Band at area rest homes. Betty will be inducted into the Muskingum County Country Music Hall of Fame October 10, 2010. She is survived in addition to her mother, by her husband, James L. Tilley, whom she married August 15, 1999, of the home; four step-children, David Tilley, Steven Tilley, Suzanne Thompson and Lori Warne; two sisters, Carolyn (Toby) Bryant of Tennessee and Norma (Judy) James of London, Ohio; a brother, Roger (Buddy) Runkle of Irwin, Ohio; and a sister-in-law, Betty Newton of Zanesville. Friends may call from 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, September 21, 2010 at the Bolin-Dierkes Funeral Home, 1271 Blue Ave., Zanesville. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 22, 2010 at the funeral home with Rev. Joy French and Pastor Gregory Gardner officiating. Betty will be laid to rest at St. Paul Cemetery, Sonora. To send a note of condolence or a sympathy card to the Tilley family: www.bolin-dierkesfuneralhome.com