The world became brighter, more loving and a lot more fun on September 22, 1932 when God

placed Betty Louise into the loving arms of J.W. and Lucille Eater in their hometown of Mt.

Vernon, IL.

Ten years later she was delighted to receive her baby brother and lifelong friend, John Eater.

Betty loved her life in Mt. Vernon and regaled us with stories of her childhood there. We loved

hearing these stories and enjoyed how her face lit up when she shared them all.

She moved to Rantoul, Il when her dad became Superintendent of the Rantoul City School

district. A difficult move for a 13-year-old, but it became home.

Betty led a full life! Always taking every opportunity to learn something new. She could be found

sewing, painting, antiquing, enjoying garage sales, gardening, working crossword and jigsaw

puzzles. She and her brother John shared a love of genealogy and researched both sides of their

family. She was often searching cemeteries looking for gravestones. She also loved cheering on

the Chicago Cubs and teasing her friends who were usually Cardinals fans.

She always had a smile...always...and never met a stranger. Our social butterfly. Betty's look on

life was rooted in her favorite scripture verse – "This is the day that the Lord has made...we will

rejoice and be glad in it."

Most of all, Betty loved her family. Family always came first. We are blessed with so many

memories of daily family times along with our game nights, attending festivals, holidays, etc. So

many hours spent enjoying time together in big and small ways.

She and her husband, Roger, were married 44 years when he passed away in 2004.

Left to cherish her memory are her brother, John Eater; her daughter and son-in-law, Sharon and Jim Atkins; her granddaughter and grandson-in-law, Megan and Justin Park and great-

grandson, Andrew Potts; daughter and son-in-law, Barb and Steve Hatfield and the families of

their children, Cory, Callie and Carissa Hatfield and special sister-in-law, Lila Shields.

While Betty would have never been ready to leave her family, the Lord called her home on

Friday, January 26th.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, February 2, 2024, at Baier Family Funeral Services, 406 E. Pells Street, Paxton.  A private family burial will follow in Maplewood Cemetery, Rantoul.

Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Thursday, February 1, at the funeral home.

We want to thank the amazing aides and nurses at Reflections of Holly Brook for their loving

care of "Miss Betty," the nurses and her aide from Transitions Hospice along with Synergy Home

Care. We can never thank you all enough for the love and care given to her and the love and

support given to our family.

Betty would want those who care about her to share a smile, a hug, some laughter and

compassion to those God puts in their path. And a smile...always a smile.

Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, Champaign County Humane Society, Community Service Center of Northern Champaign County or an organization of the donor's choice.  Condolences and memories can be shared with the family at www.baierfuneralservices.com.