Betty C. Hartley

Betty C. Hartley, 92, of Petersburg, Illinois, passed away on Sunday, October 5, 2025, at Sunny Acres Nursing Home in Petersburg. She was born December 5, 1932, in Greenview, Illinois, to Carl and Clara (nèe Schulz) Zessin. She married Arthur E. Hartley who preceded her in death.
Betty was a graduate of Greenview High School. She was the youngest of ten siblings. She was a member of St. Paul Evangelical Free Church in Petersburg. She owned and operated Hartley's Refinishing and loved to wallpaper and paint interiors of homes as well as refinish furniture. She liked to go camping and work on puzzles. Most of all she loved to spend time with her children and grandchildren.
Betty is survived by her daughters, Diana (husband Rick) Underwood, Patti (husband Skip) Kernebeck, Connie Gheen and Jeanie (husband Ron) Pettit; her son-in-law Garry Ethell; her grandchildren, Kurt, Ryan, Nathan, Natasha, Jennifer, Kyle, Kalab and Erin; her great grandchildren, Kylee, Klarc, Pete, Jack, Isaac, Archer, Luke, Sam, Connor, Hannah and Bentley; and several nieces and nephews.
Betty was preceded in death by her husband; her daughter Janet Ethell; her parents; all nine of her siblings; and son-in-law, Tom Gheen.
A visitation will be held on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at Hurley Funeral Home in Petersburg. The funeral service will follow beginning at 12:00 pm with Pastor Mike Smoron officiating. Burial will follow the service at Elmwood Cemetery in Greenview, Illinois.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul Evangelical Free Church, 209 W. Douglas St, Petersburg, Illinois 62675, or Menard County Animal Control, 19376 Sunny Acres Rd, Petersburg, Illinois 62675.
Hurley Funeral Home in Petersburg is assisting Betty's family with arrangements. Please visit Betty's online obituary at hurleyfh.com.