Betty E. Marshall

Betty Elaine Marshall of Normal, formally of Rockton, Illinois; passed into heaven surrounded by her children on Friday, August 26, 2011, at Sugar Creek Alzheimer’s Special Care Home in Normal.

Her funeral will be Tuesday, September 6, 2011 at 11 a.m. at the Rockton United Methodist Church, 102 West Chapel Street, Rockton, Illinois. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at 2 p.m. at Sunset Memorial Gardens, 8800 North Alpine Road, Machesney Park, Illinois.

Betty was born November 12, 1929, in Earlville, Illinois, to Clifford Hyde and Hazel (Godfrey) Hyde. She was educated in Rollo and Earlville public schools.

Betty and Donald Marshall married on August 9, 1946, in Princeton, Illinois. They were married almost 62 years prior to his passing in April 2008. She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother Robert Hyde.

Survivors include daughter Patricia Marshall, Normal; Ralph (Elaine) Marshall, Bloomington; and daughter Donna (Robert) Hayenga, Rockton. Betty is also survived by four grandchildren, Kimberly (Charles) Dorsey, Christopher Marshall, Nicholas (Elizabeth) Marshall, and Lisa Hayenga; four great grandchildren, Ryne, Megan, Benjamin, and Hailey. Other survivors include a brother Charles (Jan) Hyde, a sister Ruth Anne (Edward) Pecha all of Wisconsin; sister in law Mary (Lewis) Heap of Oswego and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Early in her marriage, Betty worked as an egg grader and then a waitress. In later years she helped at a flower shop during holiday times and finally as a sales clerk in a dress shop in Rockton. At all times she was a devoted wife, mother and homemaker with her children and family’s activities always coming first.

Her hobbies included reading, traveling and working jig-saw or crossword puzzles and attending Community Players performances in Bloomington.

Betty was a member of the Rockton United Methodist Church and the United Methodist Women, serving on many committees and holding several different offices within the church. She was also a member of the New Century Book Club of Rockton.

Memorials may be directed to the Rockton United Methodist Church, 102 West Chapel Street, Rockton, Illinois, 61072 or the Walk for Alzheimer’s team at Sugar Creek Alzheimer’s Special Care Home, 505 East Vernon Ave., Normal, Illinois, 61761.

Betty will be greatly missed by her family and friends who are all grateful that she can now remember her wonderful life for herself.