Betty Jane Pinkernell

On November 16, 2023, at 5:28 AM, Betty Pinkernell entered joyfully into the presence of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, whom she loved with all of her heart, and longed to see. In her last days she said that she saw Jesus and was deeply moved that He was so kind.

Betty was born on April 16, 1925, in Carlisle, PA, the firstborn of six children of the late Rev. Ralph Boyer and Anna (Hatton) Boyer. She grew up in a home where God was at the center of everything, and music was pivotal in the expression of this dynamic. Betty and two of her siblings studied piano, and three of her four brothers took trumpet, trombone, and saxophone lessons. She, her sister, and all of her brothers studied voice under their mother Anna’s direction, as well as independently with other teachers. Betty’s father, Rev. Ralph Boyer, had a radio ministry on WORK called the KLU Hour (Keep Looking Up). On each broadcast, as well as in churches and other meetings, she and her brothers and sister sang together in a beautiful blend of six rich voices, touching the hearts of all who listened.

At the early age of five, Betty asked her parents about being saved, wanting to ask Jesus into her heart. They thought she was too young to comprehend this, but she kept asking. Finally on Easter Sunday, her parents took her to the church next door, where she asked Jesus into her heart. Her father then realized the importance of Child Evangelism.

Betty graduated from William Penn High School in 1943, then earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Christian Education from the former Shelton College in New York City, where two of her brothers also attended. It was there that they met a very interesting and entertaining young man named Bill Pinkernell, who they brought home for Christmas. Bill and Betty fell in love and married on June 11, 1949. They were married for 59 years before Bill’s passing in 2008. She worked as a caseworker for York County Children’s Services and was a charter member of Providence Presbyterian Church.

She is survived by her three daughters, Jane Pinkernell, Deborah Wert, and Susan Heller, and her husband Jeffrey. She is also survived by four grandchildren, Justin Wert, Jennifer Alvarez, and her husband Will, Amanda Holland, and Jessica Triantafyllou, and her husband Loui; a step grandson, Charles Heller; four great grandchildren, Nora and Olive Watts, and Christian and Evangelos Triantafyllou; two loving brothers and their wives, R. Eugene Boyer, and his wife Monique, and David Boyer, and his wife June; and dear sisters-in-law, Eleanor Boyer, and Lorraine Clark, as well as many precious nieces and nephews.

Betty’s heart was burdened for everyone in her life, earnestly yearning for all to come to know and love Jesus as she did. She was so thankful for the loving care she received at Misericordia Nursing Home where she loved and prayed for her caregivers. She will be greatly missed by her family and all who were so blessed to have her in their life.

She was preceded in death by her husband, William Pinkernell; by a dear sister, Nancy Fenstermacher; and two precious brothers, Daniel Boyer and Gerald Boyer.

A public viewing will be held from 4:00-6:00 PM Monday, November 20, 2023, at Kuhner Associates Funeral Directors, Inc., 863 South George Street, York.  Private burial will be in Mount Rose Cemetery. A public memorial service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Providence Presbyterian Church, 1215 Church Road, York, PA 17404. 

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