Betty Jean Watts

Betty Jean “Jeannie” Watts, 89, of Springfield, formerly of Galva, Illinois, passed away on Sunday, April 12, 2015, at Regency. She was born on May 27, 1925 in Kewanee, Illinois, to Wilfred and Mary Miller Stork. She married Warren E. Watts on March 15, 1947 in Springfield and he preceded her in death on July 28, 2010.

She is survived by three daughters: Deborah Watts of Springfield, Rebecca (Richard Garretson) Watts of Columbus, Ohio, and Mary E. Myers of Springfield; two grandchildren: Tara Cowan (fiance, Rusty Petty) and Gabe Cowan, both of Springfield; one sister, Mary Ann (Ron) Graham of Mendon, Illinois; one niece, Cyndee (Rodger) Brown, one nephew, Scott (Susan) Graham, and one great niece Amanda Brown. She was preceded in death by her son-in-law Kenneth Myers and her nephew James Graham.

Betty graduated from Springfield High School and worked for The Medical Group in Springfield for more than 40 years, retiring in 1990. She was a member of the Springfield Jayshees; she enjoyed sewing, knitting, Pleasant Plains High School basketball, and reading about Abraham Lincoln. Mrs. Watts became a St. Louis Cardinals fan at the age of nine after hearing a radio broadcast of the Gashouse Gang. She enjoyed many outings to Cardinals games at Sportsman's Park and every recreation of Busch Stadium. She was a member of Laurel United Methodist Church and Trinity United Methodist Church, where she played piano for the Chapel Choir and Sunshine Choir, served as church treasurer, and sang in the Chancel Choir. Betty was a devoted fan of the Springfield Muni Opera, the Springfield Municipal Band, and The Capital City Men’s Chorus. Mr. and Mrs. Watts volunteered at Memorial Medical Center with the Heartfelt Program, mentoring and supporting patients recovering from heart procedures.

A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 16, 2015, at Laurel United Methodist Church, 631 South Grand Avenue West, and burial will follow at Oak Ridge Cemetery. The family will meet friends from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday at Bisch Funeral Home West, 2931 Koke Mill Road. Memorial contributions may be made to Laurel United Methodist Church or to the Springfield Muni Opera. Please visit the online “Life Remembered Story” at www.bischfuneralhomewest.com.