Betty Jane Layton (Saylor), 88, and her loving husband Richard Eugene Layton (Dick), 89, of Davidsville passed away peacefully just hours apart on Sunday August 13, 2017. Betty and Dick celebrated 60 years of marriage on August 10, 2017.  

Betty was born November 5, 1928 at her homestead farm in Woodstown, to William and Lydia (Yoder) Saylor.  She was one of eleven children. She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters Beatrice (Lester Blough), Beulah (Forrest Johns), Violet (Lee Wible), brothers Robert (Audrey Loughner), James (Mary Margaret Davis), William (Jean Coyle), and John (Betty Mock).  She is survived by the following siblings:  Frank (Leona Mack) of Davidsville, Nancy (Jake Shaffer) of Georgia, and Roberta (Bob Bowman) of Nokesville, Virginia, and sister-in-law’s Betty (John Saylor) and Jean (William Saylor).

Dick was born May 22, 1928 in Ferndale, to Charles and Agnes (Wheeler) Layton. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Charles (Marie Lee) Layton.

Betty and Dick are survived by their children, Tammy and husband William of Seven Valleys, PA and Rich and wife Roseann of Johnstown, PA. They are also survived by their grandchildren Kathleen and her husband James Gates, Kelsey McGuinn, Mary McGuinn, Corey Layton and Kate Layton and many loving nieces and nephews.

Dick joined the Navy in 1946. As a member of the Navy Air, he worked as a mechanic for the Blue Angel flight team. He left the Navy in 1948 and earned his pilot license, learning on a Piper Cub. As he told the story, he was flying at the same time as Orville Wright. He obtained his commercial flight license while working at Bethlehem Steel and went on to earn the distinction of being the youngest flight instructor in the United States. With his commercial license, he worked as a test pilot and crop duster in Mississippi. It was while working at Bethlehem Steel, that he met his lifelong friend, Bob Saylor, who eventually introduced Dick to his sister and Dick’s future wife, Betty Saylor. Betty, a talented seamstress was working at Bestform at the time. On August 10, 1957, Betty and Dick married.

As a couple, Betty and Dick were inseparable and their commitment to each other and to helping others was inspiring. Betty spent many years in the St David’s Lutheran Church kitchen, preparing meals for church events. She made tied quilts for the wounded veterans at Bethesda and teddy bears for open heart surgery patients. She shared her love of quilting with her younger sister and best friend, Bertie. Together with Bertie and her husband, Bob, Betty’s brother Frank and his wife, Leona, Betty and Dick were fortunate to share many happy times including a memorable vacation together in Hawaii.

Throughout the years, Dick had a small engine repair shop and together they had an upholstery business. Betty used her talent as a seamstress to make quilts for all her children and grandchildren. She tailored clothing for her family and friends, upholstered and sewed drapery. She and Dick were longtime supporters of Camp Parc. Dick handcrafted wood items including a water wheel while Betty helped create costumes and crafts. As a couple, they always put others before themselves.

The Layton family would like to thank family and friends who have been such a comfort and support over the last 5 months. We would also like to thank Dr. Richard Wozniak and Conemaugh Hospice, particularly nurses, Sierra, Carolyn and Mary for their compassionate care and assistance. In addition, we owe special thanks to Pastor Larry Hoover of St David’s Church in Davidsville for his comforting words and spiritual guidance. Last but not least, we owe a special debt of gratitude to their caregiver, Camille Relmondo, for her perpetual smile and professional, loving care of our parents, allowing them to stay in their own home as they wished.  Family will receive friends Wednesday from 2-8 P.M. at the George E. Mason Funeral Home, Inc. Davidsville. Funeral Services will be held 10 A.M. Thursday at St. David’s Lutheran Church Davidsville with Pastor Larry Hoover officiating.  Entombment Grandview Masoleum. Family asks donations  be made to Camp Parc at P.O. Box 404, Davidsville, PA 15928 or the Amy Svonavec Memorial Scholarship Fund at Somerset Trust Company, PO Box 777, 151 West Main St. Somerset, Pa 15501. 

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