Mrs. Betty Jane Reese Hutzel, 97, of Hagerstown, passed from this life on the morning of May 1, 2025. She was the wife of the late Austin Woodrow Hutzel, who preceded her in death on July 31, 1990.
Born June 11, 1927, in Boonsboro, she was a daughter of the late Harry Charles and Lena Elsie Baker Reese. She graduated in 1946 from Hagerstown High School.
Mrs. Hutzel worked with Montgomery Ward Department Store in the Credit Department for many years.
She was a lifelong member of Hagerstown Church of the Brethren where she taught Sunday School for several years.
In addition, Betty served with the 4-H Summer Enrichment Program; and was a member of Chapelwood Garden Club.
Betty, for twenty-five years, also served in various capacities with the Mason-Dixon Boy Scouts of America. From 1965-71, she served as Den Mother for Cub Pack, No 101; and served with the faculty for Den Mother’s Workshops. She served as Den Leader Coach from 1971-75 for Cub Pack, No 115, for mentally handicapped boys. For her work and leadership, Betty received the highest award in Scouting, the Silver Beaver Citation.
She was an inspiration for all that knew her. One of her biggest joys was spending time with her family; especially the opportunity to fix everyone a special meal for the holidays.
Surviving are three children, Richard Lee Hutzel and wife Gloria, Ronald Woodrow Hutzel and wife Lisa, and Randall Charles Hutzel and wife Tamara, all of Hagerstown; grandchildren Marc, Sean, Beth, Shane, Michelle, Caitlin, Ryan, Derek and Victoria; eighteen great grandchildren; ten great, great grandchildren; as well as by a daughter in-law Charlotte Hutzel, brother in-law Jerry Moore, and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husband, Betty was preceded in death by two children, Cathy Ann and Dennis Wayne Hutzel; and siblings, Eugene D. and Perry F. Reese, Doris M. Moore, and Patricia A. Chaney; and in-laws Rheda and Nancy Reese and Lloyd Chaney.
The family will receive friends at Andrew K. Coffman Funeral Home, 40 East Antietam Street, Hagerstown, on Monday, May 12, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. A funeral service to celebrate Betty’s life will be at her church, Hagerstown Church of the Brethren, 15 South Mulberry Street, Hagerstown, Maryland 21740, on Tuesday, May 13, at 11:00 AM, with her pastor, Rev. Twyla D. Rowe, officiating. Interment will follow in Rose Hill Cemetery, Hagerstown.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Hutzel’s name to her church; The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, PO Box 22324, New York, New York 10087; or to Hospice of Washington County, 1710 Underpass Way, Suite 300, Hagerstown, Maryland 21740.
Those wishing may offer condolences to the family at www.akcoffmanfh.com .
