Betty Werner, Manhattan Township
Betty Kay Werner (nee Lichtenwalter), passed away peacefully in her Manhattan Township farm family home on Tuesday, October 15.
Betty is survived by children, Donald Jr. (Deborah) Werner, Deborah (Bill) Hackman, and Dawn (Greg) Krantz; sister Carol (Lou) Kish; sisters-in-law, Karen Lichtenwalter and Nina Jones; brothers-in- law, Bill Amiot and Joe Vondrash; grandchildren Brad (Nina) Werner, Justina Hackman, Jeremy (Tiffany) Werner, Jasen (Laura) Hackman, Brett (Chanel) Krantz, Brandon (Kristin) Krantz, Matthew (Micaela) Zimmer; great-grandchildren, Torin and Lilly Werner, Lucas and Isla Werner, Theodore and Evelyn Hackman, Makenna and Marcus Krantz, Olivander Zimmer; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Preceded in death by her parents, Lester and Helen Lichtenwalter; husband of 64 years, Donald Werner, Sr.; son Brad; brother, Robert Lichtenwalter; sisters-in-law, Doris Amiot and Eleanor Vondrash; and brother-in-law, LeRoy Jones.
Betty grew up on the Lichtenwalter family farm in Manhattan. As a child, she loved horseback riding, played classical piano, was an excellent student, and an avid reader (which she enjoyed through all seasons of life).
As a child and young adult, she was a member of the United Brethren Church and sang in the choir. Betty married Don in 1957. Together she and Don built a thriving family and farm business. She was an involved mother of four and homemaker, sewing many of the kids’ clothes, being a room mom and a Sunday School teacher, while pitching in with whatever task was needed on the farm, whether helping move machinery, driving a tractor, or trucking grain to the nearby elevator.
Later, Betty became the US Postal Carrier for Route 2 Manhattan for over 20 years. As true to folklore, she delivered mail through rain, snow and gravel road dust, all while continuing her farm role as lunch maker, bookkeeper and equipment operator, as needed.
Betty was a long-time member of St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, directed Compassionate Friends at Silver Cross Hospital for many years, and cherished her coffee group at the Manhattan Library.
Her grandchildren will remember her for her cookies, pies, afternoon swims and her annual Christmas gathering.
Funeral services took place on October 19, with interment at the Manhattan Center Cemetery, Manhattan, IL.
Arrangements entrusted to Forsythe Gould Funeral Home, 507 S. State St., Manhattan, IL 60442, 815-478-3321, www.forsythegouldfh.com.
Memorials can be made to: Friends of the Manhattan-Elwood Library, St. Paul’s United Church of Christ memorial fund, or the Will County Farm Bureau Foundation.