Betty Jane (Kirch) Hommel, 86, of Greenwood, IN passed away Saturday, October 28, 2023 surrounded by her family.

Betty was born in Ripley County, IN to Walter and Ella (Oshier) Kirch on January 10, 1937. She graduated from Saint John Academy High School in Indianapolis in 1955.

Betty married the love of her life, Frank Ray Hommel on June 1, 1955 and they celebrated nearly 65 years of marriage before Frank's death in 2020.

An only-child, whose mother died when she was four-years-old, Betty instantly gained ten Hommel brothers and sisters when she married Frank.

She worked for Indianapolis' Danner's through high school and after graduating, Indiana Bell.  But, after having her first of seven children in November of 1956, Betty dedicated herself to a lifetime of weariness keeping she and Frank's flock fed, clothed and brought up to be good citizens — or at least out of major trouble.  In between planning and preparing over 65,700 family meals for her family of nine, she made sure she had quality personal time by keeping a tidy and well-organized home, sewing OLG school uniforms and matching dresses for the "Hommel Family" performances and couture Barbie dresses for her daughter's dolls.  For her sons, she methodically kept their continuously-ripped jeans, Cub Scout and Little League uniforms stitched and patched. It was exhausting, but Betty also kept her children safe by constantly replacing the broken glass on the back door, usually broken from intense games of tag.  Betty taught her children how to love and show honor to their teachers by growing purple irises and each spring cutting a small bouquet for each of her children to present to their teachers at Our Lady of the Greenwood Catholic School.  Even though her children would describe her as a Proverbs 31 Worthy woman, Betty was quite self-indulgent and treated herself monthly to hosting and partaking in a women's Euchre card club. Fortunately, most of her seven children do not have many long-lasting effects from being sequestered and confined to the back bedroom a few evenings a year and without immediate access to the 'special party food' and baked goods offered to the card club ladies.

Betty also worked at the Greenwood Park Mall Lemon Tree and Brooks Clothing Store, but especially loved providing childcare for many of the OLG teachers and administrators — many of the children she cared for have kept in contact decades later.  She worked diligently to develop her super-power of raising children and even took a Dr. James Dobson, "Focus On The Family" raising children seminar offered at her church when she was well into her 50's because she wanted to keep learning.  She was a fantastic cook and provided many a delicious meal, earning her moniker 'Betty Spaghetti' at the Greenwood Knights of Columbus, where she catered for years for many local events.

Betty's legacy is carried by her children: Leta Hommel (David Humphrey) of Lexington, KY, Debbie Hommel-Wood (David Wood), Janet Hommel Mangas (Steven), Kevin Hommel, (Jaime Coffman)  Jerri Hornaday (Russ) all of Greenwood, IN, David Hommel (Julia) of Martinsville, IN, and Chris Hommel (Amanda) of Greenwood, and her grandchildren: Madiline Rector (Justin), Grace Hommel Wood, Alexandria Mangas, Chloe Tillman (Michael), Phoebe Ritchie (Jacob), Jennifer Kelly, Stephanie Smalley (Brandon), Emily (Jo Ferrell), Nick Evans (Farrah Paris), Chylsea Hornaday (Matt Meek), triplets Reese, Emery and Faith Hommel, and siblings Nev, Raegan, Eli, Isaac and Drew Hommel. Eight great-grandchildren: Jackson, Hendrix, Miller, Walter, De'Ray, J.J., Camille, and John.

You are invited to celebrate Betty's life.  Visitation will be Thursday, November 2, 2023 from 4:00 PM until 8 PM at Swartz Family Community Mortuary and Memorial Center, 300 South U.S. 31 (Morton Street) in Franklin, IN.  Visitation will also take palce on Friday, November 3, 2023, from 10 AM – 11:30 AM at Our Lady of the Greenwood Catholic Church, (Original Chapel) 335 South Meridian Street, Greenwood, IN 46143 followed by Mass, officiated by Father Todd Goodson, beginning at 11.30 AM.  Burial will follow at Forest Lawn Memory Gardens in Greenwood, IN.

Betty worshipped and served God at Our Lady of the Greenwood Catholic Church since moving to Greenwood in 1958. The family requests memorial contributions be made to Our Lady of the Greenwood Catholic Church, 335 South Meridian Street, Greenwood, IN 46143.

Online Condolences may be sent to the family at Swartzmortuary.com. Information at 317-738-0202.