Betty D. Lewis, 98, formerly of Litchfield, died on Thursday, May 14, 2020, at Cedarhurst Assisted Living Facility in Shiloh.
Due to social distancing guidelines that prohibit public gatherings, a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Per the family’s request, for those who wish to honor Mrs. Lewis now, call your family and tell them you love them, reach out to a friend, be kind to a stranger, respect your neighbor, pick up a history book about the greatest generation and social distance until this is over. Kurrus Funeral Home in Belleville is assisting the family.
Mrs. Lewis spent much of her early years living in Barnett, north of Litchfield. She graduated from Litchfield Community High School with the class of 1939 as valedictorian. While at LCHS, she started working for Sunshine Magazine in Litchfield and continued until her marriage to William Van Lewis of Waggoner on Aug. 8, 1941.
In addition to Litchfield, during their early years together they lived in San Francisco and Larkspur, CA, Hattiesburg, MS, and Carlinville.
Mrs. Lewis loved to travel all her life. She enjoyed camping with her family, visiting her children and grandchildren and later in life, enjoyed group travel, especially trips with her cousin Marge.
She also enjoyed watching sports, especially baseball. She would listen to the St. Louis Cardinals on the radio and watch whatever MLB game was on TV. She especially enjoyed her trips to spring training in Jupiter, FL.
Mrs. Lewis returned to the work force in 1967, when she began working for the accounting department at St. Francis Hospital in Litchfield. She retired in 1990.
She was a member of St. Timothy’s United Methodist Church, where she was active in the United Methodist Women, the St. Francis Hospital Auxiliary, the Litchfield Woman’s Club and took part in the Academy of Lifelong Learning at Lincoln Land Community College.
Mrs. Lewis is survived by her three children, Ann, William (Marsha) and Susan (Kent); five grandchildren, Kurt, Michelle, Douglas (Robin), Robert (Jen) and Sara (Alex); seven great-grandchildren, Lucy, Russell, William, Tyler, Riley, Lily and Alexis; sister, Joan (Norman) Krug; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband in October 1986; parents, Chancey and Cecil Davis; brother, Harlan Davis; and three nephews.
Online condolences to the family may be left at www.kurrusfh.com.
