May 21, 1928-March 22, 2026
Betty Jean Fry, 97, of Grand Rapids died March 22, 2026 at home. The daughter of Rev. Clark and Opal Phillips, she was born in Kalamazoo on May 21, 1928. Betty Jean graduated from Alma High School, attended Albion College and earned her B.S degree and Masters of Education degree from Western Michigan University. She was preceded in death by her husband of over 65 years, Rev. Charles Fry.
Betty Jean is survived by her children Bruce (Lynne) of Harpers Ferry, W.V., Stephen (Betsy) of Grand Rapids and Kathryn Fry (Dr. Martin) Ludington of Marshall, MI, grandchildren Gretchen Fry, Laura (Seth) Gilbertson, Elizabeth Ludington, Andrew Ludington (Tess Given), Allen (Shelley) Stahl and Lauren (Felix) Granzelius, and great-grandchildren Emery, Evie and Desmond Holden, Ilya (Dakota) Dorner, Josephine and August Ludington, Aurora and Lillian Gilbertson, Camryn, Weston and Caleb Stahl and Jacob Mueller and great-great-grandson, Kaladin Dorner. She is also survived by her sister, Joyce Elkins of Santa Barbara.
Betty Jean taught public school for nearly 20 years in the Kalamazoo, Maple Valley, Northview and Grand Rapids systems. Her roles included everything from kindergarten teacher to supervisor for student teachers to being a reading specialist.
Along with her minister husband, Betty Jean lived in several West Michigan communities. She was active in the education programs of the churches and led training for area church school teachers. During retirement she was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Grand Rapids.
Over the years Betty Jean was a member of the All-Seasons Garden Club, P.E.O., and the Sallie Bender Guild of Butterworth Hospital of Spectrum Health. At Spectrum she volunteered over 11,750 hours in the hospital gift shops. She was elected President of the Spectrum Health Butterworth Auxiliary, President of the Sallie Bender Guild and Chair (3 times) of the gift shops. She also served as a Trustee of the Butterworth Hospital Foundation and the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Foundation.
The Frys enjoyed traveling overseas. In addition, Betty Jean was a great fan of most sports, and loved to visit with family and friends, do jigsaw puzzles and play games. She had a great laugh.
Funeral services are being provided by Metcalf & Jonkhoff Funeral Home.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at Clark Retirement Community Chapel on Saturday, June 20th.
Last Updated on March 30, 2026