Elizabeth J. “Betty” Vester, 79, of Peoria, passed away at 4:55 a.m. on Monday, October 26, 2009, at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria.
Betty was born in Peoria on June 17, 1930, a daughter of Benjamin S. and Mary Ellen (Risinger) Wassi. She married Andrew “Andy” Vester on November 6, 1971 in Peoria. He preceded her in death on February 14, 1977. Her parents also preceded her in death.
She is survived by her daughters, Debbi S. (Brian) Vaughn of East Peoria and Rebecca L. Sparks of Peoria; sons, Benjamin G. (Roxane) McKinney of Peoria, William J. McKinney of Shicoton, WI and John R. (Shirley) Bloom of Mattoon; brothers, Joseph (Lilia) Wassi of Congerville and George (Sandra) Wassi of Hanna City; sisters, Patricia (Bert) Matthews of Chillicothe and Linda Burgard of Staunton; seventeen grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren.
Betty was a homemaker and a parishioner at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Peoria Heights.
Private services will be held with entombment in American Mausoleum in Peoria. Memorial contributions may be made in Betty’s memory to St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church.
The family would like to express their gratitude to Fr. Driscoll at OSF St. Francis Medical Center and to the staff at Morton Terrace Care Center, especially Cathy Bollegar, LPN and Richard Williams, CNA.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Clary Funeral Home, 428 West McClure Avenue, in Peoria.
Grandma was a strong woman,she survived through many surgeries in the past and fought through them. She loved her family very much and would do anything for them.She has been the one to keep the family all together,has listened to all our problems.She loved going out to eat,reading,visiting the grankids and great-grandkids.Grandma did not like talking on the phone too long and i remeber she would tell ppl how she felt lol. During her last few months she got pretty moody cuz she was in alot of pain.She called out for her mother and grandma to help her from her pain so i know shes better now and with her loved ones.We will always think about the good times with her and never forget her.
