Bessie E. Devlin

Bessie E. Devlin, 81, of Galesburg, died at 1:25 a.m. Thursday, April 6, 2017 at Rosewood Care Center, Galesburg.

Bessie was born on August 26, 1935 in Knoxville, the daughter of Fred C. and Isal L. Counter Hartnell. She married Lee R.S. Devlin on August 26, 1961 in Galesburg. He preceded her in death on July 7, 1999. Bessie is survived by her sister, Lana C. Basham of Galesburg; three nieces, Tammy (Scott) Roberts and Penny (Jon) Baughman both of Galesburg, and Angie (Shahram) Totonchian of Cairo, GA; and numerous great nieces and nephews. She is also survived by two step sons, Stan (Lou) Devlin and Randy (Carol) Devlin, both of Galesburg. Along with her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Fred and Glenn Hartnell.

Bessie worked as a secretary for many years, working at Rowe Mfg., Knox County Nursing Home, and the Sale Barn. She was of the Methodist faith. Bessie enjoyed playing in a card club and bowled in several different leagues with her husband Lee for many years. Bessie and Lee also enjoyed taking vacations and fishing. She was a longtime devoted volunteer at Cottage Hospital and FISH Food Pantry. Bessie was also an avid Chicago Cubs and Bears fan. She loved her cat, Snowflake.

Visitation will be 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 12, 2017 at Watson-Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory, Galesburg. Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. at the funeral home. Daryl Devlin will officiate. Burial will follow in Rio Baptist Cemetery, rural Rio, IL. Memorials may be directed in Bessie’s memory to the American Lung Assoc., Knox County Humane Society, or the FISH Food Pantry. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.watsonthomas.com.