Elizabeth Eleanor "Betty" Strang

1928 - 2011

Elizabeth Eleanor "Betty" Strang, 82, of Jacksonville, and formerly of rural White Hall, died Tuesday, May 31, 2011, at Barton W. Stone Nursing Home in Jacksonville.

She was born Nov. 1, 1928, in Chicago, the daughter of Clinton D. and Ruth H. Chapman Bouker. She married Charles Kent Strang on July 15, 1951, in White Hall, and he preceded her in death May 20, 1978.

Surviving are three sons, Mark (wife, Arlana) Strang of White Hall, Roger (wife, Janet) Strang of Virginia and Norman (wife, Barb) Strang of Winchester. There are nine grandchildren, Margaret "Maggie" Strang, Kent (Whitney) Strang, Kristie Warcup, Kathy (Gabe) Bell, Sherry (Derrick) Pine, Kevin (Becca) Strang, Wayne Strang, Emily Strang, Megan Strang and Danette Strang; and three great-grandchildren. She is also survived by a sister, Carol Sharrard of Troy.

Betty graduated valedictorian of her high school class in Chicago. She received degrees in art and interior decorating from MacMurray College and Washington University. She raised three sons on the family farm east of White Hall with her husband, Kent. She worked as an interior decorator for Marshall Fields in Chicago, taught in several school districts and retired from the State of Illinois having worked in the Archives Department. She was a 50-year member and past president of PEO, having been a member in White Hall and later in Springfield. Along with her family, Betty attended the White Hall Presbyterian Church. In her past time, she enjoyed painting, cooking, traveling and spending time with her family.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday at Airsman-Hires Funeral Home in White Hall, with burial at Jones Cemetery, east of White Hall. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. today at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Jones Cemetery or to Barton W. Stone Nursing Home Activities Fund. Condolences may be left online at www.airsman-hires.com.