Betty J. Ashcraft Zolman
March 24th, 1934 - November 14th, 2025
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Betty's Obituary
Betty J. Ashcraft Zolman, 91, of Buchanan, formerly South Bend and Galien, passed away on Friday, November 14, 2025, at Buchanan Meadows.
Betty was born on March 24, 1934, to the late George and Clara (Graves) Bingaman in St. Joseph County, IN. She was a 1952 graduate of New Carlisle High School. Betty married Edward Ashcraft on November 28, 1953; he preceded her in death on February 18, 1988. Several years after her husband’s death, she married Sam Zolman who preceded her in death on March 24, 2012.
Professionally, Betty dedicated 25 years at the O’Malley Clinic in Galien, Michigan. After Dr. O’Malley’s death, she then worked at the South Bend Regional Medical Center 6 more years before retiring. Betty cherished spending time with her children and grandchildren.
Betty is survived by her children, Michelle (Marty) Pingel of Niles; Tim (Darla) Ashcraft of Kalamazoo; 4 grandchildren: Tom (Angie) Pearson, Cydni (Chris) Kiggins, Kallie (Barry) Beranek & Chelsea (Tommy) Strang; 6 great-grandchildren: Hannah (Jacob Aalfs, Fiancé), Emma (Austin Beckman, Fiancé), Kloe & Kayla Kiggins, Daniel Pearson, Maddox & Bennett Strang; great-great-grandson, Jacob Aalfs Jr. and brother, Gary Bingaman. In addition to her parents and husbands, she was preceded in death by her son, Thomas Ashcraft and sisters, Carol (Bob) Deal & Jane (Dave) Welsh.
A funeral service will be held at noon on Friday, November 21, 2025, at Swem Chapel, 301 W. Front St., Buchanan with Pastor Jonathan Liebich officiating. Burial will follow at Galien Cemetery. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service, from 11am – noon, also at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church of Glendora.
Those wishing to send a condolence online may do so at www.swemchapel.com.
Betty was born on March 24, 1934, to the late George and Clara (Graves) Bingaman in St. Joseph County, IN. She was a 1952 graduate of New Carlisle High School. Betty married Edward Ashcraft on November 28, 1953; he preceded her in death on February 18, 1988. Several years after her husband’s death, she married Sam Zolman who preceded her in death on March 24, 2012.
Professionally, Betty dedicated 25 years at the O’Malley Clinic in Galien, Michigan. After Dr. O’Malley’s death, she then worked at the South Bend Regional Medical Center 6 more years before retiring. Betty cherished spending time with her children and grandchildren.
Betty is survived by her children, Michelle (Marty) Pingel of Niles; Tim (Darla) Ashcraft of Kalamazoo; 4 grandchildren: Tom (Angie) Pearson, Cydni (Chris) Kiggins, Kallie (Barry) Beranek & Chelsea (Tommy) Strang; 6 great-grandchildren: Hannah (Jacob Aalfs, Fiancé), Emma (Austin Beckman, Fiancé), Kloe & Kayla Kiggins, Daniel Pearson, Maddox & Bennett Strang; great-great-grandson, Jacob Aalfs Jr. and brother, Gary Bingaman. In addition to her parents and husbands, she was preceded in death by her son, Thomas Ashcraft and sisters, Carol (Bob) Deal & Jane (Dave) Welsh.
A funeral service will be held at noon on Friday, November 21, 2025, at Swem Chapel, 301 W. Front St., Buchanan with Pastor Jonathan Liebich officiating. Burial will follow at Galien Cemetery. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service, from 11am – noon, also at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church of Glendora.
Those wishing to send a condolence online may do so at www.swemchapel.com.
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