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Richard Betts Obituary
BARTONVILLE - Richard C. Betts, 64, of Bartonville died Saturday, Oct. 12, 2013, at his daughter's home in Bloomington, after a courageous seven-year battle with cancer.
His funeral will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 17, 2013, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Bloomington, with the Rev. Thomas Wirsing officiating. Burial will be in East Lawn Memorial Gardens in Bloomington. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2013, at Carmody-Flynn Williamsburg Funeral Home in Bloomington.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to his grandchildren's education fund, c/o CEFCU.
Richard was born on June 26, 1949, in Peoria, the son of Lewis John and Eileen Ann Hundemer Betts Jr. They preceded him in death. He married Laura J. Westerdale on March 27, 1976, in Peoria. She survives.
He is also survived by two daughters, Tavia (Alfredo Garza) Betts and Stacey Betts, both of Bloomington; three grandchildren, Tavish, Blaze and Giselle Garza; and three siblings, Lewis J. (Alma) Betts III of Andalusia, Dawn (Bruce) Lewis of Morton and Gary R. (Sandra) Betts of Peoria.
Richard graduated from Spalding High School in Peoria. He attended Illinois Central College and Bradley University and was a member of the speech and debate team.
Richard served in the U.S. Army National Guard and was an insurance agent for many years.
Richard was a Chicago Cubs fan, an avid reader and enjoyed playing the guitar. Most of all, he was a family man and enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren.
To express condolences online, visit www.carmodyflynn.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Richard Betts
3 Entries
Steve Dickerson
October 15, 2013
Laura, Lew, Dawn, Gary, I am very sorry to hear of Ricks passing. I practically lived at your house growing up and I have many wonderful memories of those times. All of you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Mary Sierra
October 15, 2013
Dawn, so sorry to hear about your brother's passing. We had our 40th AOL and Spalding Institute class reunion this past weekend, and, we spoke of My Fair Lady. It seems there was another talented person in the Betts family.
God bless you and yours.
Ron Galloway
October 15, 2013
To the Betts family: Please know that my thoughts are with you at this very difficult time. Most of you I have not seen in 30+ years, but today when I read that you had lost your brother, I thought back all those years and remembered many of the fun times we had together. One memory that surfaced was when we were all at Bull Shoals Lake and went out night fishing with the resort owner on his pontoon boat and decided to have a fishing contest - the Betts' against the Galloway's. I remember Ric and Lew in the front of the boat beating me and my dad in the back of the boat. What a fun night that was. Thinking back on this good time helped me with how I felt about the news of your brother's passing. I hope you all can focus on your fun, fond memories to help you through this difficult time. You have my deep, sincere sympathy.
Ron
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