Rebecca “Becky” E. Bhaer, age 82, of Naperville, IL, formerly of Bowling Green, OH, passed away peacefully on Easter Sunday April 5, 2026. She was born July 2, 1943 on her grandparents’ farm in Scott Township, OH, the daughter of William and Flora (Brown) White.
She married the love of her life, Alva “Ted” Bhaer on June 25, 1966 in Mt Orab, Ohio. They celebrated 50 years of marriage prior to his passing on November 19, 2017. They spent all those years raising their family in Bowling Green, Ohio.
Becky grew up in Mt. Orab Ohio. She is a graduate of Brown County High School, class of 1961. Becky graduated with honors from Morehead State University, class of 1963, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business. She taught at North Baltimore High School teaching business until she took time off to raise her family. Later she went to work for the Wood County (Ohio) Clerk of Common Pleas Court as a bookkeeper. Even though Becky considered herself shy, she went on to become the longest serving Clerk of Common Pleas Court of Wood County from 1987 until retiring in 2008. That is a lot of public speaking, parades and chicken dinners.
Becky’s favorite quote is “Bloom where I am planted”. It was her life motto, demonstrated by her service to the various organizations in which she was part of. Becky served as president of the Friends of Wood County Public Library, trustee and vice president of the Wood County Library Board of Trustees, Zonta, BG Women’s Club, Ohio Clerk of Courts president in 1996, Special Olympics Board, Board of BG Branch of American Association of University Women, Finance Committee of BG and North Baltimore Chambers of Commerce, Wood County Historical Society, Wood County Farm Bureau, Cocoon Shelter Board, Wood County Committee on Aging, League of Women’s Voters, Wood County Republican Women, just to name a few.
She received many awards and honors for her service. Her most notable awards included the Legacy of 1875 Award given by the Wood County Library Board of Trustees, Athena Award for Outstanding Business Woman, AAUW Award for Outstanding Community Leader and the Spirit of Wood County Award for her contribution to Wood County.
She was a member of Trinity United Methodist in BG, Ohio. After retirement, Becky enjoyed being involved in the BG senior center. She was involved in cribbage, mahjong, poker and book clubs when she moved to Naperville. Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family and cheering for her grandaughters at their sporting events.
Left to cherish her wisdom and love are children, Julie (Paul) Chambers of Naperville, IL and David Bhaer of Portland, OR; her grandchildren Madelyn and Lauryn Chambers of Naperville; siblings Robert White of Hamersville, OH and James (Joyce) Keethler of Mt. Orab, OH; and her many nieces and nephews as well as their children and grandchildren, whom she held very dear to her heart.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband, and sister Mary Newberry.
Becky asks that people continue to support the wonderful library and all it does to enhance the community. In lieu of flowers, she requests donations be made to the Wood County Public Library. You may mail a check made payable to the WCDPL Foundation, 251 N. Main St. Bowling Green, Ohio 43402.
We will gather later this summer to celebrate Becky’s beautiful life, the love she shared, and the memories she leaves in our hearts. Details will be shared once arrangements are finalized.
Friedrich-Jones Funeral Home and Cremation Services assisted the family with cremation rites.
For more information or to leave online condolences with the family, please visit www.friedrich-jones.com.
