Betty Lou Burns

Born August 16, 1938 in Pekin to James and Lois (Goodwin) Clark, she married William E. Burns on October 29, 1960 at the Presbyterian Church in Delavan. He died on November 27, 2017. She was also preceded in death by her parents, one grandchild, Christine Burns; one great-grandchild, Jeffery Burns; two sisters, Leona Eubanks and Jeanne Quick and one brother, James Clark.

Surviving are three children, Glenn E. Burns of Metamora, Kimberly I. Burns of Pekin and Dawn M. (Teresa Talbert) Burns of Canton; five grandchildren, Ty (Laina) Bledsoe and Darren Burns, both of Pekin, Angelina Lox of Texas, Tianna Bledsoe and Sky Burns, both of Pekin; seven great-grandchildren, Adrianah Burns of Quincy, Jaxson Burns of Chicago, Noah Fesler and Avah Fesler, both of Barry, Lincoln Asciutto, Tyton Bledsoe and Hayes Gries, all of Pekin and two sisters-in-law, Barbara Carter of Peru and Beverly Grimes of Peoria.

A homemaker, she and her husband farmed, and she often helped with the pigs during farrowing season. She had a large garden of flowers and vegetables, where she worked tirelessly to keep the garden free of weeds and loved canning. One of her favorite vegetables was okra.

She also enjoyed going to auctions to purchase furniture to refinish and knick-knacks, especially cardinals and angels. She would help her children with their 4-H projects for local fairs as well as the Illinois State Fair. She thoroughly cherished spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Betty was a former member of the Presbyterian Church in Delavan.

Her memorial service will be at 3 p.m. Saturday, February 17, 2024 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. Pastor Steve Weber will officiate. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be given to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 1640, Hagerstown, Maryland 21741.

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com