Elizabeth “Betty” Meltzer Boilek, of Carmel, a devoted wife and mother passed away on December 22, 2021 at the age of 98. She is mourned by eight children; ten grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.
Betty was born to Brady and Louise Meltzer in April of 1923 and raised on the Meltzer family homestead in Shelby County along with her siblings, Philip Meltzer and Martha Spalding, who preceded her in death.
A Waldron graduate, class of 1942, Betty attended Indiana University where she met her first husband, Vincent Rogers.
During World War II, she worked in a war production factory like many “Rosie the Riveters”. While primarily a homemaker due to her large family, “Mrs. Rogers” also worked as an elementary school teacher at St. Joseph Catholic School in Shelbyville.
She married Wallace Boilek in 1971 and they made their home in Hammond.
Proud of her ancestry, she was a long-time member of the Timothy Ball Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution. The Boileks retired in Carmel and Betty was a member of St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church and an avid bridge player.
Betty is survived by her children, Carol (Mike) Fridlin, Barb (Marc) Landry, and Susan (Paul) Smith, all of Carmel, Tom (Inge) Rogers of Shelbyville, John (Don) Rushong of Portland, Oregon, Wally (Janice) Boilek Jr. of Cedar Lake, and Pamela Boilek of Schererville.
She was preceded in death by her son, Jim Rogers in 2005.
Visitation will be from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, December 29, 2021, at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 4218 E. Michigan Road, in Shelbyville.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at the church, with Father Mike Keucher officiating.
Interment will be at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Cemetery in Shelbyville.
Services have been entrusted to Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, 819 S. Harrison St. in Shelbyville.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Meltzer Woods, in care of Central Indiana Land Trust, 1500 N. Delaware St., Indianapolis, Indiana 46202.
Online condolences may be shared with Betty’s family at www.freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.
