WASHINGTON - Betty Jane Miller, 87, of Washington, Ill., formerly of Crawford County, Ill., died at 4:55 a.m. Tuesday, March 12, 2013, at the Washington Christian Village in Washington, Ill.

She was born on Feb. 27, 1926, in Robinson, Ill., the daughter of Hoyt Levene and Leah Mae (Bolds) Spade.

She was a member of the Kirk Chapel United Methodist Church of rural Robinson and attended Crossroads United Methodist Church in Washington, Ill. She was a member of the James Halstead Senior Chapter of the DAR.

She graduated from Robinson High School.

Betty Jane had a way of endearing herself to most anyone she ever met. She volunteered for 14 years at Washington Christian Village nursing home and made numerous friends. Betty Jane volunteered at Sunnyland Christian Church with their children's programs and was welcomed into their church family as well.

In addition, she was loved by all her neighbors, to whom she was known as "Grandma Betty."

For many years, Betty Jane attended Crossroads United Methodist Church, where she also volunteered with Vacation Bible School, in the church's nursery, then Little Lambs Preschool as "snack grandma." She was a small woman with great faith, walking through life with Jesus in her heart.

Her greatest joys were her family, home and endless treasured memories of a life well-lived and full of love. Betty Jane welcomed visits from her grandkids and always looked forward to time with her two great-grandsons, Andrew James Eertmoed and Jonathan David Miller. She shared her home with roommate "Brandee," her beloved Sheltie.

Betty's adventures include rollerskating at the age of 79, going up in a hot air balloon, trips with friends, an occasional bicycle ride, and air travel to visit family in Ohio and New Mexico. Being a country girl at heart, she enjoyed being outdoors as much as possible.

Her favorite place was always home. She found great happiness watching the various birds, bunnies and squirrels that played in the yard, and even the occasional toad that would take up residence under her front porch. She appreciated simple pleasures like visiting neighbors, a cup of coffee shared with a friend on the porch glider, or giggling late into the night with her twin sister about childhood memories.

Betty married James Earl Miller on Aug. 4, 1945, and he preceded her in death on Nov. 1, 1997. She was also preceded in death by her parents and her three brothers, Robert Spade, Ernest Eugene Spade and Harold Levene Spade.

She is survived by two sons, James Earl Miller Jr. of Forsyth, Ga., and Gary Lee and Alice Miller of Forsyth, Ga.; her daughter and son-in-law, Janice Elaine and David Atkinson of Peoria; her grandson, Alex Jay Miller; two granddaughters, Andrea Joy and Nick Eertmoed and Heather Elaine Atkinson; her twin sister, Mary Jane Small of Vincennes Ind.; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 16, at the Goodwine Funeral Home in Robinson. Burial will follow in the Kirk Chapel Cemetery in rural Robinson. Visitation will be from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home.

A celebration of life service will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 21, at Crossroads United Methodist Church in Washington, Ill. Visitation will precede the service from 6 to 7 p.m.

Visit www.goodwinefuneralhomes.com or call (800) 524-8389.

Published in Peoria Journal Star on March 15, 2013