MACOMB - Betty Jean Smith of Macomb, Ill., formerly of Peoria, peacefully passed away at 5:15 p.m. Monday, April 30, 2007, at her home surrounded by family.
Jean was born Feb. 7, 1928, in Galesburg, Ill., the daughter of Ivan and Mildred Sloan. The family moved to Peoria when she was 5 years old. She married Eugene "Gene" Smith of Bartonville, Ill., on Easter Sunday, March 28, 1948, at the Howett Street Christian Church, Disciples of Christ.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 55 years and her brother, Ivan "Mac" Sloan of Tucson, Ariz.
Survivors include her son, Gregory Smith and wife Kathy of Cleveland, Ohio; daughter, Laurie Rigg and husband Tom of Topeka, Kan.; grandchildren, Kimberlee Smith and husband Rick Mills of Cleveland, Ohio, and Aaron Rigg of Topeka, Kan. She was blessed with one great-grandson, Cameron Mills, also of Cleveland, Ohio.
She graduated from Manual High School in Peoria, Ill., where she was active in band, choir and Stephen Foster Singers. She attended Brown's Business College and was an auditor at PA Bergners.
After marriage and moving to Macomb, Jean and her husband owned and operated Gene's Jewelry for more than 30 years. She was also an avid student of gemology.
Jean's greatest joys in life were her family and grandchildren but she will also be remembered as being a very active and dedicated leader in the First Christian Church of Macomb. Jean held numerous offices in the church and in the Christian Women's Fellowship. She has been Worship Department Chairman, Elder and Elder Chairman as well as a Sunday school teacher for many years.
Showing a unique talent for crafts and hand crafting, Jean was a 42-year member and tireless fundraiser for Altrusa International. She also was a 32-year member of the Macomb Order of Eastern Star, past member of Newcomers, Macomb Women's Club, Business and Professional Women's Club, Jobs Daughters, Board Member and Mother Advisor of Rainbow for Girls.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Dodsworth-Piper-Wallen Funeral Home, where family will receive friends one hour prior to services. Robert Chatterton will officiate. Burial and graveside services will follow in Galesburg Memorial Park Cemetery, Galesburg, Ill.
May 2, 2007 | Peoria Journal Star, The (IL)
Page: B4
MACOMB - Betty Jean Smith of Macomb, Ill., formerly of Peoria, peacefully passed away at 5:15 p.m. Monday, April 30, 2007, at her home surrounded by family.
Jean was born Feb. 7, 1928, in Galesburg, Ill., the daughter of Ivan and Mildred Sloan. The family moved to Peoria when she was 5 years old. She married Eugene "Gene" Smith of Bartonville, Ill., on Easter Sunday, March 28, 1948, at the Howett Street Christian Church, Disciples of Christ.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 55 years and her brother, Ivan "Mac" Sloan of Tucson, Ariz.
Survivors include her son, Gregory Smith and wife Kathy of Cleveland, Ohio; daughter, Laurie Rigg and husband Tom of Topeka, Kan.; grandchildren, Kimberlee Smith and husband Rick Mills of Cleveland, Ohio, and Aaron Rigg of Topeka, Kan. She was blessed with one great-grandson, Cameron Mills, also of Cleveland, Ohio.
She graduated from Manual High School in Peoria, Ill., where she was active in band, choir and Stephen Foster Singers. She attended Brown's Business College and was an auditor at PA Bergners.
After marriage and moving to Macomb, Jean and her husband owned and operated Gene's Jewelry for more than 30 years. She was also an avid student of gemology.
Jean's greatest joys in life were her family and grandchildren but she will also be remembered as being a very active and dedicated leader in the First Christian Church of Macomb. Jean held numerous offices in the church and in the Christian Women's Fellowship. She has been Worship Department Chairman, Elder and Elder Chairman as well as a Sunday school teacher for many years.
Showing a unique talent for crafts and hand crafting, Jean was a 42-year member and tireless fundraiser for Altrusa International. She also was a 32-year member of the Macomb Order of Eastern Star, past member of Newcomers, Macomb Women's Club, Business and Professional Women's Club, Jobs Daughters, Board Member and Mother Advisor of Rainbow for Girls.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Dodsworth-Piper-Wallen Funeral Home, where family will receive friends one hour prior to services. Robert Chatterton will officiate. Burial and graveside services will follow in Galesburg Memorial Park Cemetery, Galesburg, Ill.
May 2, 2007 | Peoria Journal Star, The (IL)
Page: B4
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