Lee Bettis

Ava, Missouri

Elmer Lee Bettis, 81 years, 5 months, 23 days old, passed away on August 27, 2026, at his home in Ava, Missouri ,surrounded by his family.

On March 4, 1945, Lee was born in Roodhouse, Illinois, to Elmer Junior and Wretha Adline (Downs) Bettis.

Lee graduated from Roodhouse High School in the spring of 1963 with many honors and acheivements in football, basketball, and track. He enlisted with the United States Air Force on October 29, 1963, and was honorably discharged on March 7, 1966. He served his country proudly during the Vietnam War.

On January 20, 1968, he married the love of his life, Kathryn Suzanne Rambadt, in Madison, Wisconsin. Together they had two children, Chris and Becky.

In 1970, his job with Bell Telephone High Line Crew brought him to Ava, Missouri, where he and Sue raised their family and lived out the remainder of their lives. Lee started his contruction business, Bettis & Son Construction, in the mid 1970’s from which he retired in 2015. Lee retired but he never stopped working and bossing!

In his free time he enjoyed team roping, hunting, fishing, and his many trips to Colorado with the “Wild Bunch”. Lee was always up for a one sided converation.

Lee was raised in the Baptist faith, and he and Sue were members of the Union Grove Baptist Church.

Lee was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Sue; his sister, Shelda Jean Heitbrink; and grandson, Brodie Hawk Bettis.

He is survived by his children and their spouses, Chris and Julie Bettis, and Becky and Mark Gann; grandchildren, Misty and Chris Wilkerson and Cody Combs; great grandchildren, Hadley, Bodie, Treylyn and Coy; his brothers, Bob and Diane Bettis and David and Debbie Bettis; his sisters, Kathy Barnett, and Cheryl Ann Bettis; a brother-in-law, Stan Heitbrink; his very special friend, David “Mutt” Stone; several nieces, nephews, extended family, and many friends.

Graveside services for Lee will be Thursday, September 3, 2026, at 10:00 A.M. at Union Grove Cemetery with full military honors by the U.S. Air Force and Troy Herd American Legion Post #112. Visitation will be Wednesday, September 2nd from 6:00 to 7:00 P.M. at Clinkingbeard Chapel, Ava, Missouri. Officiating will be Pastor David Koenig. Memorials may be made to Union Grove Cemetery.