Bettylou Wilson

Bettylou Wilson, 84, of Galesburg, died at 4:37 p.m. Tuesday, June 6, 2017 in the Knox County Nursing Home.

She was born September 5, 1932, in Trenton, Missouri, the daughter of Earl and Frances (Kincade) Norris. She married Harold D. Wilson on August 22, 1953, in Galesburg. He preceded her in death on March 4, 2012.

She is survived by two daughters, Becky (and Sam) Der-Yeghiayan, and Syndi (and Brad) Johnson; four grandchildren, Tara (and PJ), Jared (and Kim), Megan (and Marc), and Andrew; four great grandchildren, Tyrus, Eliot, Ulysses, and Maya; a brother, Donald (and Joyce) Norris; a brother-in-law, Howard (Mary) Wilson, a sister-in-law, Janet Wilson; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents.

Bettylou was a homemaker and as well as the secretary at her husband’s office, Harold Wilson Realty. She graduated from Galesburg High School in 1951 and from Brown’s Business College in 1952. Bettylou was a long-standing member of Bethel Baptist Church, where she had served as a deaconess and was a member of the Hilltoppers Club. She was also an Auxiliary Member of Gideon International, and loved to share the Word with others. When her daughters were young, she was PTA president at Grubb School.

Bettylou loved to shop, garden and read. She had a way of taking the ordinary and creating a warm and attractive home. She was an excellent cook and made holiday meals that were enjoyed by her family.

The family would like to thank Harbor Light Hospice and the many people who helped with her care at Knox County Nursing Home. They went above and beyond to help her last days be as comfortable as possible. We would like to also thank the many faithful friends who visited her regularly, may God bless you all for your kindness!

Visitation will be 9 to 10 a.m. Monday, June 12, 2017 at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Galesburg Chapel. Funeral service will follow at 10 a.m. Rev. Weston Oxley will officiate. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in Bettylou’s name may be made to Bethel Baptist Church, 1196 N. Academy Street, Galesburg, IL 61401; Gideon International, c/o Steve Apsey, Treasurer, 290 Isle Royale Road, Galesburg, IL 61401; or MDS Foundation, 4573 South Broad Street, Suite 150, Yardville, NJ 08620 www.mds-foundation.org. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.