Betty Jean (BJ) Holton

Betty Jean (BJ) Holton was born July 14, 1941, in Bellaire, Michigan and died February 2, 2025 in her home town of Bellaire.

BJ grew up with her parents, William J. Brake and Lenore Brake, and her siblings Mary Buhland, Jim Brake, and Cathy Henton. This is where she learned to love cooking and sewing. BJ loved music and sang in her high school choir at Sexton High School in Lansing, Michigan, where she met the love of her life Charles (Charlie) Holton. One of our favorite photos is of BJ and Charlie attending their high school senior prom together.

The two were married in 1962. They had three daughters. Joann ( d. 1970), followed by Michelle in 1966, and Nicole in 1973.

BJ, Charlie, Michelle, and Nicole made the move to Hillsdale, MI where they purchased Ken Stilwell Ford Lincoln Mercury and settled down for 39 years. BJ reveled in caring for her family and sharing her love of cooking and gardening. She could talk for hours about the ingredients in a recipe. She became involved with the Hillsdale Garden Club and acted as President for 4 years. Many hours were spent on the Greens Sale before the Holidays. She also was active in the Hillsdale College Women’s Commissioners and enjoyed volunteering in the community. 

BJ loved many crafty hobbies and would plan summer vacations up North in her hometown of Bellaire with a special project every year. 

She and her sisters spent many hours crafting in Pop’s Woodshed and beading with the Bead Bitches. She was a member of the Red Hat Society and also made the most beautiful cards which we never wanted to throw away. Most will fondly remember BJ for her beautiful smile and her devotion to her family. 

Her beloved Charlie passed away last year in August. 

BJ is survived by her daughters, Michelle Lenore Jump, (Don), and Nicole Angela Hoffman, (Eric). Grandchildren Kelsey Weyhing (Jake Radecki), Nikolai Jump (Alex Stuart), Courtney Weyhing (Nathan Driggers), and Isaak Jump (Tyler Sadilek), Taegan Hoffman (Rohitha Rajasekar), Griffin Hoffman (Anna Szlembarski), and Addison Hoffman. Brother Jim Brake (Nancy Brake), sister Cathryn Henton, and good friends Dave and Tammy Walsh also remember her small stature but feisty personality. She will be greatly missed by all. 

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, June 21, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at the Evergreen Cemetery in Lansing with a luncheon to follow to honor both BJ and Charlie, as we lay their ashes to rest next to the Holton family plots and especially Joann.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Hillsdale Garden Club, c/o Jane Munson, 4778 Chadam Lane, Jonesville, MI 49250.

Arrangements are in the care of the Bellaire Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes. Please sign her online guestbook at www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com