Betty J. Nye Rinker, 79, of the Beaver Valley Nursing Center, Beaver Falls, formerly of 524 Golf Ave., Ellport, died Sunday afternoon at the Beaver Valley Nursing Center after a lengthy illness

She was born in Portersville, Aug. 11 1930, to the late Bert and Florence L. Weil Nye.

She attended the Free Methodist Church of Ellwood City and the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church.

She graduated from Muddy Creek High School in 1949. She worked at the Ellwood City Knitting Mills and later at the Bobbie Brooks store in Butler.

Betty enjoyed golfing and gardening.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Billy R. Rinker, who died July 21 2008. They were married Nov. 17 1976. She also was preceded by a sister, Margaret Lawther; and a brother-in-law, Dale Brown.

Betty is survived by three brothers and sisters-in-law and one sister and one brother-in-law, Joseph (and Dawn) Nye of New Matamoros Ohio, Charles (and Ellen) Nye and Calvin (and Susan) Nye, all of Portersville, Nellie Brown of Ellwood City and George Lawther of Portersville. Several nieces and nephews also survive.

<B>RINKER</B> — Friends of Betty J. Nye Rinker, who died Sunday, Jan. 17, 2010, will be received from 9:30 until 11 a.m. Wednesday in the <B>TURNER FUNERAL HOME</B>, Sixth Street at Park Avenue, Ellwood City. Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Turner's with the Rev. Bob Mitchell of the Ellwood City Free Methodist Church officiating. Burial will be in Locust Grove Cemetery.Memorial donations may be made to the Ellwood City Free Methodist Church. 412 Glen Ave., Ellwood City, PA 16117.Information also is available at www.turnerfh.com.