Betty J. (Bookwalter) Dolan, 92, of Port Royal, passed away Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at Brookline Manor, Mifflintown.
Born Nov. 30, 1933, in Turbett Township, Juniata County, she was a daughter of the late Arthur Varnes Bookwalter, and Helen Elizabeth (Sieber) Bookwalter Leach, and the step-daughter of the late Charles Leach.
Betty graduated from Tuscarora Valley High School in 1951. In her earlier years, she enjoyed roller skating, and playing softball and trumpet.
She was a United Telephone operator, worked at Barton’s Butcher Shop, was a cashier at Stop 35, and retired from the Commonwealth of PA Unemployment and Employment Department in 1999, where she was an interviewer.
She was a member of Turbett Grange and Millerstown Moose.
She enjoyed traveling, especially to the beach, and spending time with her family. She loved everything about helping and living on the family farm. She was very involved with gardening and canning and especially enjoyed eating home grown foods.
She is survived by four children, Darlis J. Dolan, Bettina K. Peterson and husband, Jim, Daniel A. Dolan and wife, Jackie, and Jeanette K. Towsey, six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald F. Dolan on July 9, 2026, and her sister, Marian (Bookwalter) Book.
Her graveside service will be private and held at Westminster Presbyterian Cemetery, Mifflintown with Rev. Samuel J. Leister officiating.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution in memory of Betty to Family Hospice, 20 Sheraton Drive, Altoona, PA 16601.
Guss Funeral Home, Inc., 20 S. Third St., Mifflintown, is assisting the family.
Contributed by rkohler3 on 5/3/16 - Image Year: 1951
Photo of Betty from the 1951 Tuscarora Valley High School Yearbook.
Contributed by rkohler3 on 5/3/16 - Image Year: 1951
TVHS 1951 SENIOR CLASS: (Front Row)(l-r) Jane Kirkwood, Romaine Bardell, Anna Brackbill, Park Gerhart (teacher), Cora Naylor, Roma Deen, Jessie Swartz; (Middle Row)(l-r) Bill Seacrist, Joyce Milliken, Richard Eaton, Betty Bookwalter, Eugene Longacre; (Top Row)(l-r) David Weishaupt, Paul Armstrong, John Leister, Arthur Aumiller, Ralph Ditmer, Ralph Kepner
Contributed by rkohler3 on 5/13/17 - Image Year: 1948
TVHS CLASS OF 1951 IN FRESHMAN YEAR (48): (Front Row) (l-r): Bill Seacrist, Art Aumiller, Lane Swartz; (2nd Row): June Welshonse, Mildred Walters, Dolores Benner, Roma Deen, Cora Naylor, Romaine Bardell, Anna Brackbill; (3rd Row) Jeanne Kennedy, Patsy Lauver, Joyce Milliken, Peggy Seiber, Betty Bookwalter, Jane Kirkwood, Jessie Swartz; (Back Row): David Wisehaupt, John Leister, Ralph Kepner, Ralph Ditmer, Eugene Longacre, Paul Armstrong, Mr. Parsons (Teacher), Richard Eaton
