Betty Jean A. Evans

Betty Jean A. Evans, 96,  of Mendon, IL went to her heavenly home at 1:10 p.m. on Saturday, July 8, 2023,  at Golden Good Shepherd Home, Golden IL.

       Betty was born on August 20, 1926, at the Cramm family home two miles east of Ursa, IL.  She was the oldest daughter of the late Walter H. Cramm and Mildred (Flack) Cramm.  She was baptized as an infant at Zion E & R Church, Ursa, IL.  April 6, 1941, she was confirmed in the class of fourteen confirmands.  Her memory verse was John 15:5.

        She attended all eight grades at Mt. Pleasant one-room school, south-east of Ursa, IL.  She went to school at the early age of five.  They had to have at least five students to keep the school open and she made the fifth student. 

        She graduated from Mendon Township High School in 1944 and Western Illinois State Teachers College, Macomb, IL with a Bachelor of Science in Education in June 1949.  She taught on an emergency certificate at two rural one-room schools (1946 Center five miles east of Ursa, IL and 1947 Franklin east of Marcelline, IL).  Each closed at the end of school year because of consolidation. She went to summer school and finished college in 1949.  The fall of 1949-1953 she taught first and second grade at Golden Grade School. 

       December 24, 1954 she married Harvey R. Evans at Trinity E & R Church, Quincy, IL with Rev. Arthur Eberling.  April 1955, she became a member of the Mendon Congregational Church. 

      Betty worked beside her husband on the farm and hauled grain to the local elevators with a Chevy ton truck.  Harvey preceded her in death on March 18, 1982.

      Betty was active in the community and church, being a substitute teacher in School District Units 3 and 4, helper at Creative Learning Center Mendon Salem Church, teaching Sunday School Primary and adult Always Active Sunday School Class, serving as church treasurer and deacon. 

     Survivors include a daughter, Linda (Ronnie) Bush of Mendon, IL.

     Grandchildren: Evan (Emily) Bush, Aaron (Holly) Bush and Alissa Bush.

     Great-grandchildren: Claire, Elliot, and Rena Bush; a nephew John (Ann) Casley; great nieces, great nephews, and cousins. 

      She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Harvey, a son Dean Ray Evans on February 14, 1972, a sister Ruth Elizabeth Casley and her husband Dillard, a niece Marie Florea and her husband Lester.

       Triplett Funeral Home is handling cremation.  A private family service will be held.  In lieu of flowers and memorials, the family requests that you make time for a senior in your neighborhood and community.