Betty A. DeBord

Betty was born July 3, 1922 in Ashland, WI, the daughter of Wendell and Mary Butterworth Aronson. She married Dr. Robert A DeBord on January 5, 1946 in Princeville, IL. He preceded her in death on October 23, 2002.

She is survived by her children: Dr. James (Margaret) DeBord of Peoria, Dr. Alan (Mary Ellen) DeBord of Peoria, Barbara (Stephen) Miller of Glenwood Springs, CO, and Diane Novak of Winnetka, IL, twelve grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Betty was also preceded in death by her parents, one brother, Jack Aronson, one step sister, Jean Bauman, and one granddaughter, Mary Elizabeth DeBord, as well as her stepparents, Emerald and Rae Baxter.

She was a member of First Federated Church of Peoria, The Country Club of Peoria, The Methodist Hospital Service League, The Junior League of Peoria, The Peoria Chapter of PEO and the Peoria Medical Society Auxiliary.

Growing up in Ashland on the shores of Lake Superior, she was an avid outdoors person and loved skiing and ski jumping in her youth. She enjoyed travel and golf and was active with her husband in these pursuits. She often joined him on hunting and fishing trips.

She moved from Ashland to Marshfield, WI with her stepparents and obtained her nursing degree in Marshfield as WWII approached. She joined the U.S. Navy in February, 1945 and served as a nurse in the Pacific Theater on Guam, tending to casualties. It was there she met her future husband, Dr. Robert DeBord. She was honorably discharged with the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade on March 12, 1946 and was very proud to be a Navy veteran. She went on the Peoria Honor Flight to Washington D.C. in 2013 and thoroughly enjoyed herself. She was most proud of her family. Her focus was always on her husband, her family and her community. A gracious and energetic woman, she was loved by all who knew her. She remained active throughout her life, driving her own car and attending to her own affairs up to her death. She will be missed by all who knew her.

Visitation will be at First Federated Church of Peoria from 5:00 to 7:00 PM on Tuesday, September 1, 2015. Funeral service on Wednesday, September 2, 2015 at 10:00 AM, also at the church. Rev Dr. Forrest Krummel will officiate.

Davison-Fulton Woolsey-Wilton is in charge of arrangements.

Burial will be in Princeville Township Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to First Federated Church of Peoria or The Peoria Honor Flight Organization.

To view Betty’s memorial page or leave an online condolence please go to www.woolsey-wilton.com.