Betty Lou Smithenry (81) of rural Newton

Betty Lou Smithenry, age 81, of rural Newton, Illinois, passed away at 11:25 PM – Saturday, February 10, 2024, at her home.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 AM – Friday, February 16, 2024, at Holy Cross Catholic Church Hall in Wendelin, Illinois. Visitation will be held 5:00 to 7:00 PM – Thursday, February 15, 2024, at the Church Hall and from 9:00-9:30 prior to the Mass. The burial will be in the Holy Cross Cemetery in Wendelin, Illinois. In loving memory of Betty, memorials may be made to the Holy Cross Building Fund. Arrangements are under the care of the Meyer Funeral Home in Newton, Illinois. The obituary can be viewed, and condolences left by clicking here.

Betty Lou was born on February 14, 1942, near Island Grove, in Jasper County, Illinois, the daughter of Louis and Marie (Hardiek) Haarman. She married Michael Smithenry on September 17, 1960, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Island Grove, Illinois. Betty graduated from Newton Community High School, with the Class of 1960. She worked for several years at Newton Ready Mix and sat with people at Richland Memorial Hospital. Betty was a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church in Wendelin, Illinois where she was active with the Altar Society and served as a Trustee. She was also a member of Jasper County Home Extension and had been a 4-H leader. Betty was an avid quilter and loved painting southwest art.

Betty is survived by Husband of 63 years – Michael Smithenry of Newton, Illinois Children - Jeffrey (Mary) Smithenry of Olney, Illinois; Pamela (David) Jansen of Newton, Illinois; Douglas (Timothy Myers) Smithenry of Highland Park, Illinois and Dennis (Niranjan Karnik) Smithenry of Highland Park, Illinois Grandchildren - Beth (Gary) Kocher, Dusty (Kim) Smithenry, Christine (Toby) Hall, Michaela (Lyle) Ochs, Joseph Smithenry, Emily (Jonathan) Lee, Benjamin (Clarissa) Jansen, Amina Smithenry-Myers, and Otis Smithenry-Myers; 17 Great-grandchildren; Siblings – Marcella Bierman, Marilyn (Ed) Smithenry, Deloris Bergfeld, Linda Streich, Diane (Richard) Worman; Sister-in-law – Wanda Haarman Several nieces and nephews also survive.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, siblings Robert Haarman, David Haarman, Evelyn Haarman, Irene Haarman, and Leroy Haarman, brothers-in-law Art “Jim” Bierman and Bernard “Bernie” Bergfeld.