Betty R. (Harkins) Zahniser

Youngstown - A funeral service will be held Sunday, May 27, 2018 at 1pm for Betty Ruth Zahniser, 92, who passed away May 23, with her son by her side. Schiavone Funeral Home in Youngstown will be having calling hours prior to the service from 12pm to 1pm. Betty was born November 10, 1925 in Black Lick, Pennsylvania to Joseph C and Mary Olive (Fairbanks) Harkins. She moved to the Youngstown area as a teenager. In 1944 she married Jacob Bishop Jr. He passed away in 1972 after 28 wonderful years of marriage. She then married Bill Zahniser in 1977 and he passed away in 1982. Betty was a homemaker during her first marriage but became a jack of all trades after being widowed. She worked as a janitor for Wean United and City Hall. She worked as cafeteria help at the YMCA and Buckeye Elks. Not forgetting to mention McDonald's, and finally retiring as a certified child care provider at an area day care. She was a born-again Christian of devout faith and was a member of Struthers Church of Christ where she taught Sunday school. She stood only 5 feet tall but was big in spirit and personality. She was feisty with a great sense of humor. She leaves to cherish her memory her only son Joseph J Bishop of Youngstown. A granddaughter, Faith Bishop Smith (Vern) of Houston, Texas, Grandsons Joseph M Bishop (Nicole) of Vermont and Stephen J Bishop of Girard. Nieces Sandy Yanci (Jim) of Cortland, Mary Shephard of Indiana, and Sharon Isler of Chicago, IL. Nephews Thomas Clawson of Pleasantville, PA and Donald Baker (Lorraine), of Florida and many great-nieces and great-nephews. She also leaves behind special friend Sharon Scullion of Salem and longtime home health aide Bulah Payne. She leaves her furry best buddy, Hairy the shih tzu. She was preceded in death by her parents, two husbands, nine sisters and brothers, and great-granddaughter Aris D Bishop.