Betty Jean Kinney, 94, of Potomac, passed away peacefully with her daughter and niece by her side, at 1:05 a.m. Monday, May 22, 2023, at OSF Heart of Mary Medical Center, in Urbana.
Betty was born on March 18, 1929, in Penfield, Illinois, the daughter of Everett and Adaline (Meitzler) Ellis. She married Leland G. Kinney on January 18, 1948, at the Potomac United Methodist Church. He preceded her in death on July 14, 1982.
She is survived by one daughter- Susan Kinney of Tinley Park, Illinois; two sisters- Sonna Carley of Potomac and Barbara Arford of Andover, Minnesota; and numerous nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and two sisters- Mary Downing and Judy Hacker.
Betty graduated from Potomac High School in 1947. She worked as a school secretary at Armstrong Township High School for 39 years, until her retirement and she never missed attending a Armstrong class reunion after her retirement. She volunteered at Lakeview/Provea/OSF Hospital for 31 years at the front desk, Potomac Grade School for 16 years reading to the kids and Secretary of the Potomac Township Board for 40 years. Betty was a member of the Middlefork United Methodist Church, where she played the piano for over 70 years and was still playing the piano currently. She enjoyed going out to eat every Sunday and Thursday with her different groups of friends. Betty enjoyed doing crossword puzzles, watching the Game Show Network, Hallmark Channel and giving her nephew Dave a hard time. She also enjoyed talking on the phone to her family and friends.
A Celebration of Betty's Life will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 27, 2023, at the Middlefork United Methodist Church, with Pastor George Desmond officiating. She will be laid to rest following the services in Potomac Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m. Friday, at the Blurton Funeral Home, in Potomac. Memorials may be made in Betty's name to St. Jude's Children's Hospital. The family has entrusted the Blurton Funeral Home to assist the family in honoring Betty's life. Condolences may be shared with the family on her everlasting memorial page at: www.BlurtonFuneralHomes.com.
