Bethlyn Gail Babel

Bethlyn Gail Babel, 74, of Traverse City, passed away January 17, 2023 at Munson Medical Center after a brief illness. Beth was born in Frankfort, Michigan on May 10, 1948, to the late Glen and Charlotte (Smeltzer) Michael. Growing up, she spent her time enjoying summers on Crystal Lake and time building cherished memories with all of her friends and family. She attended and graduated from Frankfort High School in 1967, and subsequently moved to Traverse City, where she would meet her future husband, Gerald “Jerry” Babel. They married on March 15, 1974 and spent the next 38 years together raising their family, going on cruises and trips with their children, and spending time by their pool, and working in the garden, until Jerry’s death in 2012. Beth began working at Paul Oliver Hospital and then Munson Medical Center where she remained employed for over 40 years. She started out working various assignments, Central Supply and then the Laboratory, where she worked up into her retirement in 2014. Years after her retirement, she started working at St Joseph’s Club, an after-school program at Immaculate Conception, where she worked up until her passing. Beth was preceded in death by her parents Glen and Charlotte Michael, her father and mother-in-law, August and Edna Babel, her brother-in-law, Larry Babel, and brother-in-law, Robert Wright. Beth is survived by her children Kris (Julie) Babel, Stephanie Babel and boyfriend Paul Schneider, step-children Laura (Gregg) Pierce, Gerald “Buzz” (Cheryl) Babel, Mike (Sharlene) Babel, Angie Mackey and Todd (Shelly) Wright, as well as sister Birdie Wright and brother Dean (Eydie) Michael, and sister-in-law Phyllis Babel, as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews, extended family members and lifelong friends, as well as her beloved kitty, Scout. Beth was a wonderful mother, wife and a friend. We will miss her terribly but will keep her in our hearts forever. We want to thank all of her friends and our family for such great support and compassion through this difficult time. I know she is thankful for each and every one of you. A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 am on Friday, May 12, followed by a luncheon at St. Francis Catholic Church and then burial at the Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens, where both Bethlyn and Gerald will be laid to rest. The family is being served by Reynolds-Jonkhoff funeral home in Traverse City. Please visit www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com to share your thoughts and memories with the family.

Bethlyn Gail Babel

May 10, 1948 - January 17, 2023