Betty J. Sintz Heitzer,

82, of East Butler went home to be with the Lord early Easter Sunday morning.

Born in Tarentum, Nov. 20, 1922, she was a daughter of Matthias and Elizabeth Wiles Sintz.

She was a homemaker, mother and grandmother, who enjoyed cooking and baking from-scratch recipes. She also loved to sew and was an expert seamstress. She was an avid reader and crossword puzzle hobbyist.

Mrs. Heitzer was a member of St. Wendelin Roman Catholic Church of Carbon Center and the Christian Mothers of the church. She was a community volunteer in East Butler, where she had served for more than 20 years as president of the East Butler Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary, was a Girl Scout leader and had been affiliated with the East Butler Sparks baton and marching unit.

Surviving are her husband, Hubert R. Heitzer, whom she married Aug. 17, 1944, and with whom she celebrated their 60th anniversary this past summer with a family celebration; three sons, Tony P. Heitzer and his wife, Shirley, Larry T. Heitzer, and his wife, Connie and Michael Heitzer, and his wife, Joyce, all of Butler; seven daughters, Mrs. John (Martha) West of Butler, Rosemary Heitzer of Saxonburg, Mrs. Ed (Patty) Beck of Chicora, Mrs. Jim (Rita) Pritts of Renfrew, Emily Heitzer of Evans City, Mrs. Jeff (Elizabeth) Rosellini of Boyers and Mrs. Ervin (Theresa) Deal of Worthington; and a brother, Harry Sintz of Butler.

She also is survived by 22 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by an infant son, an infant daughter and a sister, Mrs. Ruth Kleeman.

HEITZER - Friends of Betty J. Sintz Heitzer, who died Sunday, March 27, 2005, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at GEIBEL FUNERAL HOME, 201 E. Cunningham St. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Wendelin Roman Catholic Church, Carbon Center, with the Rev. Kevin F. McKnight officiating. Burial will follow at the parish cemetery.A parish vigil service will be held at 8:30 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.Memorial donations may be made to St. Wendelin Catholic Church, 210 St. Wendelin Road, Butler, PA 16002.Please visit the funeral home Web site at www.geibelfuneralhome.com.