Frank & Bright Funeral Home
Betty Fornear
Oct 22nd, 1930 - Dec 22nd, 2019Betty 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.