Betty Jean Stevenson, 94, of Oquawka, Illinois died at 11:00 a.m. Sunday October 19, 2014 at Great River Hospice House in West Burlington, Iowa. She was born January 4, 1920 near Blandinsville, Illinois, the daughter of Willis and Reva Mustain Adams. On August 1, 1933, she married William F. “Bill” Stevenson in Kahoka, Missouri. He preceded her in death on December 12, 2010.
Mrs. Stevenson was a graduate of Stronghurst High School. Early in life, she had worked at the Lomax Canning Factory and the Iowa Army Ammunitions Plant. She then continued her education by receiving a Bachelors Degree from Western Illinois University in 1960, and later, a Masters Degree from the University Of Illinois in Champaign.
Betty taught school for over thirty years in Stronghurst, Media, and other schools in the area. During her time at Stronghurst High School, she oversaw the Building Trades Program. She was instrumental in the forming of, and served on the board of directors for, the Henderson County Health Department. She had also taught adult home economics classes. She served as Treasurer for the Illinois Homemakers Association.
Betty loved riding horses, gardening, oil painting, and traveling. She traveled to China when she was in her seventies. She was a past member of the former Old Bedford Christian Church, and a current member of the Stronghurst Christian Church.
Survivors include one daughter, Susan Amelia (John Jr) Guanci of Woodstock, IL, one grandson, John Joseph William Guanci of Woodstock, two great granddaughters, Amelia Ann and Kaitlyn Marie Guanci, one brother, Sterling (Barbara) Adams of Blandinsville, IL, and one sister in law, Phyllis Saben of Biggsville, IL. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband.
The funeral for Mrs. Stevenson will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday October 24, 2014 at Banks & Beals Funeral Home in Stronghurst with Pastor Jon Warren officiating. Burial will be in the Carman Cemetery, Carman, IL. Friends may call after 2:00 p.m. Thursday at Banks & Beals, where the family will be present from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Memorials have been established for the Moody Bible Institute and Henderson County Humane Society. Condolences may be left at banksandbeals.com.
Pauline Stott, 88, of Mt. Pleasant, died Sunday, October 19, 2014 at University of Iowa Hospitals, Iowa City.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM, Thursday, October 23, 2014 at Elliott Chapel, New London. Pastor James Roth will officiate. Burial will be in Burge Cemetery, New London. Visitation will begin after noon on Wednesday, October 22, at the chapel with the family greeting friends from 5:00 to 7:00 PM. A memorial has been established to Burge Cemetery Association.
Gary Coulter, 65, of Burlington, Iowa, died in Davenport, Iowa, on Sunday, October 19, 2014.
Born on November 10, 1948 in Washington, D.C., Gary grew up and lived in Burlington.
Gary served his country in the U.S. Navy from 1965 to 1969. He worked as a new product designer at Kleins until it closed. Gary was an avid outdoorsman enjoying camping, canoeing, fishing, mushrooming, stargazing, beekeeping, gardening and riding his horse, Queenie. He was very self-sufficient and creative person. He designed unique tools and created presents out of wood, metal and cement. He brewed, enjoyed and shared a variety of homemade beers.
He is survived by two brothers, Bruce (Susan) Coulter and Kirk (Millie) Coulter; six nieces and nephews; life-long friends, John Dahl and John Manush; and the Thursday Circle of Friends. He was preceded in death by his mother, Wanda Bouquet.
Cremation has been entrusted to the care of Prugh Funeral Service. Family and friends will gather for a Celebration of Gary’s Life at a later date. A memorial has been established for the Disabled American Veterans Fund. The family appreciates and thanks the doctors and staff of the VA Hospital in Iowa City. Condolences may be left at www.prughfuneralservice.com.
Kory Michael Fillmore, 42, of Burlington, died at 2:10 PM Sunday, October 19, 2014, at his home surrounded by his family and friends.
Born January 28, 1972, in Burlington, he was the son of Kevin Michael and Karen Sue Hulse Fillmore. On September 27, 1997, he married Rebecca “Becky” Sue Parrish in Burlington.
Kory was a self-employed carpenter, he worked for First Construction and most recently for Carpenters Union 1260 working at the fertilizer plant.
He was a 1990 graduate of Burlington High School and a 1993 graduate of Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids.
He was a member of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Fraternal Order of the Eagles Burlington Aerie 150, Ducks Unlimited and Pheasants Forever. He was an Eagle Scout who enjoyed duck hunting, fishing, boating, camping, and watching football. He especially enjoyed watching his children’s sporting events.
Survivors include his wife, Becky; two daughters, Kassidy Fillmore and Katlyn Fillmore, and one son, Koltin Fillmore all at home; his father and stepmother, Kevin and Diane Fillmore of Plainfield, IN; his mother, Karen Sue Beckert of Burlington; two sisters, Kara (Todd) Reyes of Burlington, and Kendra (Jamie) Huntington of Mediapolis, IA; two nieces; two nephews; three step-sisters; three step-brothers; and several uncles, including, Jim Gray of Burlington.
He was preceded in death by his stepfather, Roger Beckert, his grandparents, and Aunt Sis.
Visitation will be from 12:00 PM until 8:00 PM with the family to receive friends from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM Tuesday, October 21, 2014, at Thielen Funeral Home.
The funeral service for Kory will be 10:30 AM Wednesday, October 22, 2014, at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) with Rev. David Yonker officiating. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery. A time of food and fellowship will be held at the Eagle’s Club following the burial.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established for his children’s education.
Thielen Funeral Home & Crematory is in care of the arrangements.
A photo tribute can be viewed and condolences can be sent to the family by visiting Kory’s obituary at www.thielenfuneralhome.com.
