Betty Jane (Hart) Farner, 90, of Columbus, Ohio, wife of former Grace Brethren pastor Donald W. Farner and mother of Grace Brethren pastors Donald Farner and Tim Farner, died Saturday, January 31, 2009 at Wesley Glenn nursing home in Columbus.
Born October 23, 1918, in Shelby, OH, she was the daughter of Ream V. and Ruth (Barga) Hart. Along with her husband Donald W. Farner, they came to know the Lord at the West 10th St. Brethren church in Ashland.
After Don’s pastoral training, they went on to pastor at Grace Brethren churches in Sidney, OH, Harrah, WA, Toppenish, WA (Pastor Farner founded this church), Winona, MN, and Limestone, TN. She was a member of Southview Grace Brethren Church in Ashland and Worthington Grace Brethren church and Powell Grace Brethren Church while living in Columbus.
A pastor’s wife until her husband’s death, she then returned to Ashland where she was a cook at a fraternity house at Ashland University and later worked at Carter Drapery Service.
She is survived by sons, Don (Joyce) Farner of Butler and Tim (Sandy) Farner of Columbus; daughter-in-law, Carol Farner of Warsaw, IN; grandchildren, Stephanie Schmucker, Angie Hansen, Jim Farner, Beth Farner, Michelle Farner, Melissa Kelley, Jeff Farner, Jon Farner, and Jay Farner; and 13 great grandchildren.
Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Don, in 1977 while pastoring in Limestone, TN; son, Stephen A. Farner; and sister, Eleanor McBride.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, February 4, 2009, at 11:00 a.m. at the Ashland Home of Wappner Funeral Directors, 308 Claremont Ave, Ashland, officiated by Pastor Dean Risser. Committal service will be held after the service at the funeral home.
Friends may call Wednesday one hour prior to the service from 10:00-11:00 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be at Vermillion Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Home Reach Hospice, 3595 Olentangy River Road. Columbus, OH 43214.