URBANA - Betty Jones Newton, 97, of Urbana passed away Monday (Oct. 13, 2025) at Meadowbrook Health Center, Urbana.
She was born near Cowden on Aug. 22, 1928, a daughter of Fritz and Maud Wakefield Jones. She attended Cowden schools, graduating in 1946, and Sparks Business College in Shelbyville. She worked in the accounting department of Ralston Purina Co. in Decatur for 17 years.
Betty married Robert Newton Jr., on July 18, 1964. He passed away May 25, 1997. They had one daughter, Joan Christian, and son-in-law, Dale, of Rantoul. Other survivors include a brother, Tom Jones of Pana.
Preceding her in death were her parents; sisters Velma Kerr and Verla Tomlinson of Shelbyville; and five brothers, Roy Jones, Edward Jones and Jack Jones of Cowden, Willie Jones of Herrick and Les Jones of Sparta. Betty also has many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and -nephews and great-great-nieces and -nephews.
Mrs. Newton was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Urbana, United Methodist Women, the Philo Home Extension, the Zonta International Service Club of Champaign-Urbana, and was a lifetime member of the Burnham Hospital Auxiliary and Provena Covenant Auxiliary. She volunteered at the UI Rehab Center, reading to the blind, as well as delivering Meals on Wheels. She was also a Girl Scout and 4-H leader.
Betty's family would like to thank the wonderful staff of Meadowbrook Health Center at ClarkLindsey for their tender loving care.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21, at Renner-Wikoff Chapel. Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. at the funeral home. Pastor Robert Freeman and Pastor Jeff Stahl will officiate. Burial will be in Mt. Hope/Roselawn Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 304 S. Race St., Urbana. Condolences may be made at renner-wikoffchapel.com.
1 Entry
Kathie (Grove) Stacey
October 17, 2025
Joanie so sorry for your loss. Your mother was such a sweet lady!
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