Elkhorn man loses funeral director's license
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David Betts
ELKHORN — An Elkhorn man has surrendered his license to act as a funeral director after a state order that resolved pending disciplinary action against him.
An investigation revealed David J. Betts, 41, of Elkhorn had incorrectly completed death certificates, poorly applied makeup on bodies he prepared and made mistakes in obituaries, according to officials at the Wisconsin Department of Regulation and Licensing.
One customer also complained Betts was intoxicated during a meeting, and others said he was insensitive when dealing with customers, according to state officials.
The complaints stem from when Betts served as funeral director for Skindingsrude Funeral Home in Whitewater between November 2007 and December 2008.
This is not Betts' first encounter with public scrutiny.
He was sentenced in July to seven years in prison for his two latest operating while intoxicated charges, the most recent being his seventh offense.
Betts previously served jail time for crashing an airplane into power lines in Milwaukee while intoxicated.
The Department of Regulation and Licensing ordered Betts to pay $1,550 in costs related to the investigation if he were to seek renewal of his funeral director license, which he is not allowed to do for at least a year.
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Jan 24, 2010 at 4:30 p.m.
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I thought the drive thru window was a good idea that he implemented.
Dec 31, 2009 at 8:12 a.m.
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This is a case of the system failing. Perhaps if he was given an actual consequence for the FIRST DUI, he wouldn't have had the opportunity to get 7. There is no reform in prison, there is "rehab" in jail. Taking away his ability to pay restitution and earn a living when he's out again in a few years - how does that help anyone?
Wannabe - give me a break, your knowledge of the case is limited and it shows.
Dec 16, 2009 at 11:15 a.m.
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agreed justsayno.
Dec 14, 2009 at 1:02 p.m.
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I still stand behind my comment so what if he is in jail, he did not represent himself in a professional manner. Justsayno I really do not care what you think. Your past comments say it all, so you are saying it is ok to treat dead people badly and it is ok to treat the family badly? Oh did you know typing with caps on means you are yelling is that the point you’re trying to make. I would not trust him and I am sure others would have gone elsewhere had they known is past.
Dec 11, 2009 at 3:24 p.m.
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Too bad for him, funerals are a license to steal.
Dec 11, 2009 at 11:16 a.m.
Dec 11, 2009 at 8:28 a.m.
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What incredible character this man has displayed. Welcome to post modern America folks.
Dec 10, 2009 at 10:08 p.m.
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just~Are you serious? Just because his 'client' is dead does not mean that person doesn't have family/friends. He was talking to family members drunk when he was supossed to be there for support for them while they made arragenments to bury their loved one. I find your post offensive and inconsiderate and rude. I hope someone close to you never dies and you have to deal with a drunk funeral director.
Dec 10, 2009 at 5:34 p.m.
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The Gazette is developing a sense of humor....
Dec 10, 2009 at 5:08 p.m.
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NOT a danger to society? ARE YOU KIDDING ME? HE DROVE DRUNK SEVEN TIMES, including flying an airplane into power lines. I am sure the citizens of Milwaukee think he is a danger to THEIR society...
The Wisconsin Department of Regulation and Licensing holds the responsibility of monitoring individuals and being liable for their actions. He is a professional and he has to represent that position that he holds a license for with professionalism. He is clearly NOT professional.
Dec 10, 2009 at 5:02 p.m.
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He flew a plane intoxicated AND hit power lines?? He is lucky he wasn't killed! This has got to be one of the dumbest criminal story I ever heard!
Dec 10, 2009 at 3:14 p.m.
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He was a funeral director BEFORE those other things happened wannabe. I don't understand the Gazette's timing decision to post this story - Dave is currently serving time, why kick him when he's down? His funeral home has already been sold.
Dec 10, 2009 at 1:26 p.m.
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So after his plan crash, drunk driving convictions he is allowed to be funeral director WOW. Is this job not the same as others who deal with death, doctors medical personal. I would think some kind of back ground check should be done.
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