Betty J. Gladfelter of Monmouth passed away July 9, 2017 at the Monmouth Nursing Home. Betty was born in Ottawa, Illinois on July 22, 1926, the daughter of Leslie D. and Anna L. Warren Fiske. She attended the Ottawa public schools and upon graduation first worked as a “Rosie the Riveter” on aircraft cockpits being produced for the war effort at the Libby Owens plant in Ottawa. Betty then attended the Normal Teacher’s College (now Illinois State University) for two years and taught for two years in a one room country school house near Ottawa. On August 27, 1949, Betty married Howard Gladfelter, also from Ottawa, at the Ottawa Christ Episcopal Church. She and Howard then moved to Monmouth where Howard was finishing his degree at Monmouth College and beginning his employment with the National Bank of Monmouth. They joined the First United Methodist Church and Betty went to work for the Illinois Bankers Life Insurance Company headquarters in downtown Monmouth. Betty left her work in 1953 to begin raising her family. She and Howard built a new home on East Second Avenue in 1963 where they lived until Howard’s death in 1995. Betty also worked for several years at the newly built Warren Achievement school on East Second Avenue. Betty loved raising and caring for her family, traveling, gardening and flowers, bird watching, and playing bridge with friends. Betty is survived by her three children, Mark (Gwen) Gladfelter, Don (Vicki) Gladfelter and Jan (Gary) Martin, all of Monmouth, six grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brother, and one grandson.
Cremation rights have been accorded and interment will be at the Oakwood Memorial Park in Ottawa. Friends may call on the family at the Turnbull Funeral Home in Monmouth on Wednesday, July 12 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. The family wishes to express their appreciation for the help and support provided to Betty while she was living at Courtyard Estates and the Monmouth Nursing Home. We would also like to acknowledge the support provided by Compassus Hospice. Memorial gifts may be made to the Monmouth Park District. A private graveside service will be held at the Oakwood Memorial Park at a later date.
Betty has been laid to rest in Garden of Devotion.
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