Elaine Beitner of Plymouth, Michigan entered the heavenly kingdom on May 26, 2017. She was born on August 7, 1927 to Cecil Doten and Gertrude (Lewis) Doten in Ferndale, Michigan, graduated from Lincoln High School in Ferndale, and attended Nyack College in New York as a music major.
She returned to Michigan to work as a secretary for Mutual Benefit Insurance Co. in Detroit, and she served as a church organist at Radio Temple/Christian Missionary Alliance in Berkley, and Calvary Baptist in Plymouth.
On January 8, 1955 she married William (Bill) Beitner, who with his brother Fred owned and operated Beitner Jewelry in Plymouth for 46 years. On October 21, 1966 she gave birth to Martha (Marti).
Elaine was a woman of many interests. She earned her pilot’s license in 1966, she wrote and published nine books of Christian poetry and prose, and she enjoyed many arts and crafts, such as painting, stained glass making, needlework, and 3-D paper tole.
She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Bill, and daughter, Marti (Kevin Miller), sister, Madalynne, five nieces and nephews, numerous great nieces and nephews, three granddaughters and two great-grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life will take place on Sat. June 24, 2017, at 4 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 209 Washtenaw Ave., Ypsilanti, MI 48197. A greeting hour will take place at 3 p.m. at the church.