The Big Sandy Mountaineer -

Betty E. Silvan, 82, passed away due to natural causes on Saturday, March 18, 2017, at Big Sandy Medical Center. Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 25, 2017, at the Big Sandy United Methodist Church with Pastor Sharon Robertson officiating. Burial followed at the Big Sandy Cemetery. Betty's family has suggested memorial donations be made to the Big Sandy Senior Citizens' Center, the Big Sandy Medical Center, the Big Sandy United Methodist Church, or the charity of the donor's choice. Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with services and arrangements. Please visit Betty's online memorial page and leave a message of condolence for her family at http://www.hollandbonine.com.

Betty was born on September 19, 1934, in Great Falls, to Charles and Mary (Cikrit) Fry. She was raised on the family farm southeast of Big Sandy, attending Illiad school and later graduating from Big Sandy High School in 1952. In 1953, she married Otto Silvan, and the couple had 4 children. For several years, they leased farmland, and in the early 1960s, they purchased their own farm southeast of Big Sandy. Otto and Betty remained there until after Otto's death in 2009. Betty worked at various jobs, including writing "Out Southeast", as a proofreader for the Big Sandy Mountaineer, as a bookkeeper for Napa, and as a cook at the Big Sandy Medical Center. Of course, her most important job was being a farmer's wife and mother.

She took up bowling in 1979, and loved it! She also loved flowers, music, poetry, butterflies, and her cats. She was an accomplished musician, and enjoyed caring for the farm animals. She especially loved a house full of kids and visiting with friends. She was never without a word and a smile upon her face. Betty was a member of the Homemaker's Club, Big Sandy Ladies Auxiliary, a 4-H leader, and acted as an election judge for many years.

She was preceded in death by her husband Otto Silvan; her son Kevin Silvan; her daughter-in-law, Sonia Silvan; her father, Charles Fry; her mother and stepdad, Mary Fry-Adamec and Frank Adamec; her brothers Jim and George Fry; and her infant sister Clarice Fry.

Betty is survived by her children, James (Julie) Silvan of Helena, and Wayne Silvan and Lynette Faber, both of Big Sandy; her eight grandchildren, Darrell, Corey, and Nolan Silvan, Jenny Marn, Amy Holmlund, Sadie Sura, Mariah Halter, and Suzannah LaBuda; and 9 great-grandchildren.

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