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Funeral: 10 a.m. Friday, December 27, 2019, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home
Visitation: 5-7 p.m. Thursday evening, December 26, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home
Committal Ceremony & Interment: 2 p.m. Friday, December 27, at Maple Hill Cemetery, Sesser
Betty Fornear, age 89, of Flora, Illinois, passed away Sunday afternoon, December 22, 2019, at Linda E. White Hospice House in Evansville, Indiana.
She was born October 22, 1930, in Christopher, Illinois, the daughter of Fred H. and Lee (Eubanks) Kunkel. She was united in marriage to Donald Fornear on January 7, 1949, in Sesser, and they have shared 70 wedding anniversaries together.
Betty worked at Sparton Manufacturing beginning as a clerk and eventually earning a promotion to her role as sales manager, retiring after a 30-year career. She was a dedicated member of the Clay County Hospital Auxiliary, where she managed the Gift Box shop at the hospital and assisted with awarding college scholarships. Betty had a giving heart and shared her time with others when they needed a helping hand or a kind word, and also volunteered with Meals on Wheels. She was also a 50-year member of Eastern Star. She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Flora where she was an active member of United Methodist Women and had been a past district officer. Betty enjoyed golfing and took great pride in the four-time hole-in-ones she made over the years. She and Don traveled to Florida for the past 30 winter seasons and she was also very involved with their Wesley United Methodist Church family in Marco Island, Florida, where she helped with their events like the Strawberry Festival and rummage sales. Betty was a loving wife, mom, and grandma, as well as “granny” to her great-grandchildren, and she treasured her time spent with family and friends.
She is survived by her husband: Don Fornear of Flora; a daughter: Barbara (Pat) Beck of Effingham; 3 grandchildren: Patrick Alan (Amber) Beck of Maumelle, AR, Matthew Ryan Beck (Danielle Peavey) of Oklahoma City, OK, and Andrea Don (Curtis) Rexroad of Winter Haven, FL; 7 great-grandchildren: Cayden, Jase, Averi, Ashlynn, Noah, and Braxton Beck, and Olivia Rexroad.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a beloved son: Mark Alan Fornear; and a sister: Elnora Jones.
A funeral ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, December 27, 2019, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora with Pastor Judy Vidakovich officiating. The committal ceremony and interment will take place at 2 p.m. Friday at Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Thursday evening at the funeral home. Memorial donations are suggested to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Shriners Hospital for Children and will be accepted through the funeral home.
Jul 21, 1931 - Nov 18, 2024
Nov 15, 1940 - Nov 9, 2024
Sep 5, 1961 - Oct 31, 2024
Nov 14, 1941 - Oct 30, 2024
Nov 28, 1936 - Oct 29, 2024
Will always remember Betty as such a capable, dedicated and giving person. She will be missed!
Don, Barbara and Family: Our deepest condolences to you for your loss. I loved Betty. She was a role model for me when I worked with her at Sparton. I have so many wonderful memories of her. She was a beautiful person inside and out. I will miss her and her friendship. Please know that y’all are in our thoughts and prayers. Heaven gained a new angel and she and Mark are reunited again. RIP Betty❤️
Betty was one of the most kind and caring people we have ever known. Don, we mourn her loss along with you and your family but rejoice knowing that today she is dancing with the angels.
So sorry. Will be praying for you and your family.
Sorry for your loss. She was a great lady and a special friend. Lots of fond memories of playing golf with her.R.I.P.
My, Laura's, family lived next door to Betty and Don from the time I was born. I have so many good memories of Betty. She was a very sweet and loving lady who will be greatly missed by many. God bless you dear lady and rest in peace.
So very sorry to hear of Bettys passing. She was a good friend. I will miss her.
Don and Barb...sending you prayers of comfort and hugs. Betty and Mark are in Heaven together watching over you...hang tight to your memories..
I'm so sorry Don and Barbara. Betty was such a sweet lady and such a good friend of my momma. Perhaps they are shining up their bowling balls for the next big game. Love to you both.
Such happy memories of a lovely lady. Our love to Don, Barbara, Pat and family.
I have lost a very good friend, neighbor and fellow auxilian at CCH. She and Don have been among the best of caring and sharing people. My prayers are for peace and comfort at this difficult time.
Prayers are with you Don at this time.
Betty had such a kind heart. She will be missed by many at the hospital. Prayers to the family.
So sorry to hear! Love and prayers!
Another sweet lady has become a precious angel in Heaven, Betty will be missed by many with Love
I am so very sorry for your loss, Betty was such a kind lady she taught me how to run the register in the gift box and she had so many great stories. My thoughts and prayers are with you all
I grew up right across the alley from the Fornears. Betty was such a beautiful loving person and she will be greatly missed. To Don, Barb and family- my deep condolences.
Barb and Don, I have soooo many good memories of Betty going wayyyyyyyy back. One I loved was Betty making homemade donuts in the morning after we spent the night at your house. I always loved her smile and laughter and looked for her each time I stopped by Clay County Hospital. What a special person she was. You’re in my thoughts and prayers ❤️
Mr. Don, Barb and family, I am so sorry to ear about Betty. She was a wonderful lady and I remember when y’all lived across the street from us how kind she always was to my mom and us kids. I hope memories of happy times flood your hearts and minds the next few days and weeks. I am praying for all of you. God be with you.❤️
I just loved Betty and will really miss her. Such a sweet lady. My condolences to Don and Barb. I pray our Lord will wrap His arms around you to comfort you.
Betty was the most kind, gentle soul I ever met. She and Don were my best friends when I lived in Flora. God bless you Betty I know you are resting in the arms of the Almighty
Betty has been such a loving, caring, supportive and kind role model and church family member to us. She and Don were definitely the perfect team and we loved hearing of their love story. Betty will be missed and our thoughts and prayers are with Don and the entire family.
Betty was such a dear sweet lady. We will all muss her so much. Thinking of the family and extending my prayers and sympathy.
Don, so sorry for your loss, but another angel so he picked Betty. Prayers and thoughts for the whole family.
Don& family, Sorry for your loss. Betty was always wearing a smile, and she enjoyed sharing in so many ways.
Don and Barb. So sorry to hear the passing of a loved one like Betty. She was a sweet and caring mom. Growing up she was one of my moms and took care of me just like one of her own. Now Betty is up there with Mark. So many memories when going threw school with Mark. They will be sadly missed a lot.
SO SORRY FOR THE LOSS OF AN AWESOME WOMEN WHO WAS LOVED BY SO MANY PEOPLE AND WILL BE MISSED BY ALL .
Betty was a wonderful friend, many great memories of our years of bowling as well as fun on the golf course! Our sympathy to Don, Barb and all the grandchildren!
Betty was such a kind, caring person. I grew up down the street from her. My first year of marriage, I worked at Sparton's as a summer typist. She picked me up everyday since we were living with my parents for the summer and Fred had to have our car. We always enjoyed talking with the Fornears, My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Our condolence to the Fornear Family. We remember Betty and her sweetness. My Mom (Phyllis Wells) worked with Betty on activities in the Flora United Methodist Church, and always enjoyed her. Betty leaves a special mark on the world.
We are so very sorry for your loss, these words are sent with the hope that as time goes by the cherished memories of your Mother will bring you peace and bring her closer to you.
I live in Olympia, Washington now but I just saw on Frank & Bright's website Betty's obituary. I worked with Betty at Sparton's. She had the most delightful laugh of anyone I've ever known. She was such a kind and sweet person. I will always have fond memories of her. My sympathy goes out to her entire family.
Knowing Betty was such a blessing Her love for her family and so many others was great. May God hold you all close Don, Barb and family. She was so very proud of all of you.
Betty was a very kind lady. I know she will be missed by her family and all that knew her. Prayers for comfort at this difficult time.
God Bless your family for such a beautiful mother & wife Spirituality & Personally.
My heart breaks this morning that this beautiful, sweet, sweet lady has left us. We were so sad when she said they would not be back this year. They will be missed at Wesley. Our prayers go out to Don and the family. I am so sorry that I did not know that she was ill. I pray her passing was easy. Those that knew her know that she is with God.
Betty was a very beautiful, warm, and giving lady. She was a very special person that was always helping others. She will be greatly missed by her family, friends, and the community. Prayers of comfort for her family.
It was a pleasure to know Betty and I'm sorry to hear of her passing. Prayers for you, Don, and your family. You both were so kind and helpful while I worked at Wesley.
We are saddened to hear of Betty’s passing. Betty always had a smile on her face and a helping hand ready to be involved in our activities here at Wesley. She was such a joy to be around and we will miss having Betty and Don with us here in Florida. Rest In Peace in heaven with your Lord, Betty.
Our prayers and sympathy are with all the family. Betty was such a lovely lady and every year we had such a good time working the Wesley church rummage sale together. She'll be missed but never forgotten. Marge and Chuck Nelson
BETTY was a very special dear friend, always with a beautiful smile. I will always treasure the memories from the many years of friendship Gene and I had with her and Don. Love and sympathy to all the family.
Sweet, loving, fun and accepting. When I lost Mark, I gained Betty and Don. Betty was such an inspiration. She was always so happy and on the move. Betty, like Mark, will be in my heart forever. Much love to Don , Barb, and the grandchildren.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. The ladies from HIM always enjoyed working with Betty.
As a young girl growing up a few houses down the street from Betty and her family, I grew to cherish her for her warm smile and loving heart. I always felt welcomed in her home, and I so very much enjoyed spending time with her. She was a bright light in my life, and I will truly miss her.
Sorry for your loss!! Praying for you!
Barb and family, I am so very sorry for your loss. Though I didn't know your mom personally, I do know she was a kind, loving human being who will be greatly missed by her family and community. Gone but never forgotten.
Frank & Bright Funeral Home
and Cremation Services
500 North Main Street
Flora, Illinois 62839
Phone : (618) 662-2141
Fax: (618) 662-4600
Email: [email protected]
