Betty J. Travelstead

Betty J. Travelstead, age 93, of Marion, Illinois passed away on Friday, February 28, 2020 at 12:04 a.m. in Heartland Regional Medical Center in Marion.

Betty was born on July 22, 1926 in Springfield, Illinois, a daughter of Carney Ray and Nellie Houston (Bridwell) Owens.  She married Lowell Wayne Travelstead on May 10, 1947 in Marion, Illinois and he preceded her in death on April 24, 2008 after nearly 61 years of marriage.  Betty was a homemaker and a member of Warder Street Baptist Church in Marion.  She was a faithful Christian woman who never knew a stranger and was often referred to as a “mother to all,” as she raised her own five children, opened her home to countless others, and enjoyed babysitting.

Survivors include four daughters, Sue Edwards of Beverly Hills, Florida, Debbie Travelstead of Marion, Teresa Johnston of Ocala, Florida and Rhonda (Tim) Wiseman of Marion; a son-in-law, Dan Hendrickson of Marion; nine grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and close friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Wayne; one daughter, Regina Hendrickson; three brothers, Lawrence Owens, Sam Owens and Rip Owens; two sisters, Norma Watts and Nadine Dawe; one great-grandson, Robert Allen “Shorty” Dillon; and a son-in-law, Larry Edwards.

Funeral services will be held at Mitchell-Hughes Funeral Home in Marion on Wednesday, March 4, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Kenny Burns officiating.  Burial will follow in Rose Hill Cemetery in Marion.

Visitation will be held at Mitchell-Hughes Funeral Home in Marion on Tuesday, March 3, 2020 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and again on Wednesday, March 4, 2020 from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.

For those who prefer, memorial donations may be made to the American Parkinson Disease Association and will be accepted at Mitchell-Hughes Funeral Home, 800 N. Market St., Marion, Illinois 62959.