Elizabeth Jean (Hofelich) Showalter, age 83, died peacefully on June 19, 2022. She was born on April 18, 1939 on the family farm in Fern Creek, KY to Ollie S. and Elizabeth Jean (Cleary) Hofelich. Betty was the last of Ollie and Jean's eight children to leave this earth. She was preceded in death by her loving husband Patrick Showalter, Sr., her infant son Christopher, her daughter Suzanne, and her grandson Nathan Chilton. Betty is survived by seven of her nine children: Vicki Niehaus (John), Dianne Cassell (Tim), Patrick Showalter, Jr. (Vickie), Michael Showalter (Sherry), Charles Showalter (Sheri), Beth Durham (Jerry) and Jackie Chilton (Rick). Betty was blessed with sixteen grandchildren: Kasey Cassell (Brent Hilbert), Eric Cassell, Evan Showalter, Michael Showalter (Rachel), Breann Beam (Blake), Jared Showalter (Grant), Hunter Showalter (Ashlie), Sarah Showalter, Christopher Showalter, Aaron Apanewicz (Katie), Ashley Apanewicz (Jeremy), Autumn Parrish (Chris), Anthony Apanewicz, Justin Chilton (Andrea), Nathan Chilton, and Aidan Chilton. Some of those grandchildren begat these beautiful great-grandchildren: Jaxon and Nolan, Caelum, Hayden and Oaklyn, Amaya, Amina, and Amya, Zayne, and Lynxx and Rush. Betty is also survived by her sisters-in-law Pat Burton (Delmar), Louise Hofelich (Charles), Dean Hofelich (John) and a host of nieces and nephews, each one a gift from the large and robust Hofelich family.

Betty was a passionate and creative woman who blazed her own unique trail through life. A lifelong Catholic, she was devoted to the causes she espoused. Betty and Patrick attended St. Gabriel Catholic Church. When that parish grew too large, they became founding members of St. Bernard Catholic Church. She was a practicing member of St. Bernard for the rest of her life. She loved Jesus, her family, nature, animals, learning, art, good food, and life. Later in life she earned a Bachelor of Science in Special Education at Bellarmine University. Betty loved being a college student. She graduated with honors and a 4.0 GPA. She went on to teach for a brief time. She was a good cook. She expressed her creativity through drawing, painting, and writing -- skills she inherited in part from her mother's family.

Her last years were spent in Nazareth Home in the fog of dementia. She was a favorite resident, appreciated for her smarts and her singing. The Showalter family sends our sincere thanks to all of the Nazareth Home staff for taking such good care of Betty.

Visitation will be on Wednesday June 29 from 10 am to 12:30 pm at Fern Creek Funeral Home, located at 5406 Bardstown Road, Louisville, KY.

The funeral mass will be held on Wednesday June 29 at 1:00 pm at St. Bernard Catholic Church, located at 7500 Tangelo Drive, Louisville KY, 40228.

Betty will be laid to rest next to Patrick and Suzanne at Calvary Cemetery, located at 1600 Newburg Road, Louisville KY, 40205.

In lieu of flowers, please consider contributions to the Alzheimer's Association.

Rest in peace Betty.