Bettie Arwood McConnaughhay, 96, of Pontiac, passed away on May 30, 2026, at OSF St. James in Pontiac, surrounded by her loving children.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 6 at noon at Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home with Pastor Alex Cross officiating. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the time of service. Burial will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park.
Bettie was born on July 30, 1929, in Pontiac, Illinois, the daughter of Henry and Sina (Garland) Arwood. She was raised in Ottawa was educated Ottawa public schools, and was a member of the First Baptist Church. She married Oliver “Gene” McConnaughhay on January 1, 1948, in Ottawa. He preceded her in death on February 6, 1976. Bettie primarily stayed at home and raised her family. She was an apartment landlord and later became an LPN and provided private services for those in her care. Bettie’s greatest joy was spending time with her family and friends. Her door was always open and was known for her good home cooking which never left anyone hungry Bettie enjoyed cooking, playing cards, reading, sewing, vegetable gardening, being an Avon lady and her Chinchilla ranch. Bettie was the matriarch of the family and loved her family dearly. She was the perfect example of love to her family and will be sorely missed.
Bettie is survived by her children, Denise (Jim) Anderson of Pontiac, IL, and Dennis (Patti) McConnaughhay of Goodfield, IL; grandchildren, Nathan Anderson, Gabriel (Jennifer) Anderson, Dennis (Kristen) McConnaughhay, and Joe (Kryssi) Vos; great grandchildren, Joan Marie Anderson, Ryleigh and Evan McConnaughhay, and Hannah Vos. She was preceded in death by her husband, Oliver “Gene” McConnaughhay, brothers, Carl and John Arwood; and sisters, Hazel Syverson, and Dorothy Husted.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church, or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. To share a memory or condolence, please visit www.gladfelter-roetker.com or Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home on Facebook.
Bettie was laid to rest in the Garden of Hymns at Oakwood Memorial Park.