Betty Kathryn Burch, 91, passed away on Sunday, June 16, 2024 at Willow Rose Rehab & Health Care in Jerseyville.
She was born on December 7, 1932 at the family home in Greene County, Illinois to the late Philip J. and Stella M. (Hunt) Young. Betty grew up in Greene County, attending her first year of High School at Rockbridge, and following the schools merger, graduated with the Class of 1950 from Greenfield High School.
Following her graduation, she resided in Jerseyville, where she was employed in the office at the International Shoe Factory.
She married Delbert Burch on October 4, 1952 at the First Baptist Church in Jerseyville. During Delbert’s time with the United States Navy, they resided in Portsmouth and Norfolk, Virginia, where Delbert was stationed and later in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Following his honorable discharge, they returned home to Jerseyville, ultimately settling in New Delhi, where they raised their family and remained throughout their married life. After 43 years of marriage, Delbert preceded her in death on October 24, 1995.
Betty devoted her life to being that of a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She played an active role in the lives of her children, serving as a room mother while they were in grade school as well as Chapter Mother for FHA and Order of Rainbow for Girls Mother Club.
Betty also instilled in her children a deep rooted and strong faith in God. She relied heavily on her Faith to guide her throughout her life and enjoyed her time serving as a Sunday School Teacher at Bethel Methodist Church in Dow.
As her children grew older, Betty enjoyed spending her time serving others in the community. She was a member of the Dr. Silas Hamilton Chapter of NSDAR; a lifetime member of the Ladies Auxillary of the VFW Post in Alton, Illinois; member of the Ladies of the Moose Jerseyville Chapter, and later, member at large. She was active in many senior groups and activities throughout the area, including many years as a volunteer at the Alton Senior Center, where you could often find her enjoying a good game of pinochle.
Throughout her life, she enjoyed the opportunities she had to travel. When her children were young, up until early retirement, she traveled extensively throughout the United States with her family and later traveling groups. As much as she enjoyed traveling, she was just as content spending time at her home, planting flowers and feeding the birds. She was also an avid St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan and enjoyed attending concerts by local music groups with her family.
Surviving are three children, Sandra “Sandie” and Robert “Bob” Cornelius of Dow, Cheryl Harrison of Glen Carbon and Michelle and Larry Franklin of Shipman; three grandsons, Dale and Tiffany Cornelius of Godfrey, Scott and Ashley Cornelius Jerseyville and Christopher Cornelius, and his companion, Kirsten Arrieta of Jerseyville; as well as four great grandchildren, Katherine, Lillie, Henry and August “Gus”.
In addition to her parents and her husband, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Marsha Lynn Burch; as well as her eight siblings, Evelyn Kraushaar, Elknah Mowrey, Ada Hardwick, Dorothy Garrahan, Lola Ethell, Philip T. Young, Allen Young and Harold Young.
Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. until time of Funeral Services at 11 a.m., Monday, June 24, 2024 at Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville.
Burial will follow at the Kane Cemetery.
Memorials may be given to First United Methodist Church in Jerseyville or to Great Rivers Choral Society.
Memories may be shared with the family by visiting www.crawfordfunerals.com
