August
02,
1933
02,
1933
February
24,
2021
24,
2021
Betty Lou (Gregory) Meier, age 87, of Plano, passed away Wednesday, February 24th at her home in Plano, IL. She was born August 2, 1933 in Plano, IL, the daughter of Roy and Gladys (Burke) Gregory. While still a child and after the death of her mother in 1939, she became a part of Hazel and Kenneth Blakely’s family. As the youngest two sisters, Betty and Joan received the love and care of a happy home from their older sister, Hazel and husband Kenneth, who became their parents and their daughter, Kendra, a much-loved sister. Betty married DeWayne C. Meier on July 2, 1958 at the Reorganized Church of Latter-Day Saints, now known as Community of Christ Church, Plano, IL by their brother-in-law Richard Wildermuth. They spent the next 57 years married until DeWayne’s passing in 2016, residing in the home they built in 1963 in Plano, IL where they raised their two sons and enjoyed time in their kitchen cooking and baking.
Upon graduating from Plano High School in 1951, she was employed as a secretary for 15 years by Bronze and Steel Die Casting Company in Plano where she met her husband DeWayne. She stayed home raising her two sons and then returned to work at The Plano Wash House as a manager for 20 years until her retirement.
In 1941, Betty was baptized and confirmed a member of RLDS church (Community of Christ) in Plano and attended the historic Plano Stone Church for 85 years. Her lifelong love of music led to her role as church organist and pianist, playing for Sunday services, weddings and special events. She served as church organist and pianist for 75 years, as well as church librarian, historian, tour guide, worship center planner, Zion’s League Leader with her sister Joan and Sunday school teacher. In her role as tour guide, she often shared her love of church history in the Plano Stone Church with visiting church members. As church members, Betty and DeWayne helped in the construction of Roger’s Hall Sanctuary and Visitor Center.
Betty was deeply devoted to her family, especially her two sons, Todd and Brett, the joys of her life, their wives, Judy and Nancy as well as her two grandchildren, Colin and Connor, who affectionately called her Nana. She had a large extended family of sisters, nephews, and nieces whom she cared for deeply. While Todd and Brett were young, Betty served as room mother. She continued this volunteering with her grandchildren’s school, participating in Grandparent events. Betty created many family traditions such as Gingerbread House making, doing puzzles, and coloring, and talking about US history with her grandchildren. Betty’s favorite activities included reading, watching historical documentaries, her favorite soap operas and the Chicago Cubs. Music was a large part of her life and she was always so grateful for the chance given her by Hazel and Kenneth to have music education. Betty’s passion for history led her to many trips exploring genealogy for her family and church, often with her sisters, Joan and Kendra and niece Lamara. Her favorite holiday was Christmas, when she would bake delicious holiday desserts, decorate her beloved home, and celebrate with her family.
Betty is survived by her two sons Todd (Judy) Meier of Oswego and Brett (Nancy) Meier of Plainfield, her grandsons Colin and Connor Meier, her sister Kendra Shrode of Holland, MI as well as many nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews, and many cherished friends of her church community. She was preceded in death by her parents, Roy and Gladys Gregory, Hazel and Kenneth Blakely, sisters Joan Gregory, Ruth and brother-in-law Dick Wildermuth, Marjorie and brother-in-law Michael Hennigan, Roberta and brother-in-law Melvin Marvin, Izetta in infancy, brother Kenneth and sister-in-law Sue Niles Gregory, brother-in-law Larry Shrode, half-brother Gordon Gregory, half-sister Edith Gregory and son, Brent W. Meier, in infancy.
Funeral services will be held at Turner-Eighner Funeral Home in Plano on Saturday, February 27 at 1:00 pm with Pastor Jan Stoneking presiding. Visitation is from noon until time of service at 1:00 pm. Private interment at Little Rock Township Cemetery will follow. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Community of Christ Church, Plano, IL. For more information or to sign the online guest book please go to www.EighnerFuneralHome.com
Turner-Eighner Funeral Home
3952 Turner Ave
Plano, IL 60545
(630) 552-3022
Upon graduating from Plano High School in 1951, she was employed as a secretary for 15 years by Bronze and Steel Die Casting Company in Plano where she met her husband DeWayne. She stayed home raising her two sons and then returned to work at The Plano Wash House as a manager for 20 years until her retirement.
In 1941, Betty was baptized and confirmed a member of RLDS church (Community of Christ) in Plano and attended the historic Plano Stone Church for 85 years. Her lifelong love of music led to her role as church organist and pianist, playing for Sunday services, weddings and special events. She served as church organist and pianist for 75 years, as well as church librarian, historian, tour guide, worship center planner, Zion’s League Leader with her sister Joan and Sunday school teacher. In her role as tour guide, she often shared her love of church history in the Plano Stone Church with visiting church members. As church members, Betty and DeWayne helped in the construction of Roger’s Hall Sanctuary and Visitor Center.
Betty was deeply devoted to her family, especially her two sons, Todd and Brett, the joys of her life, their wives, Judy and Nancy as well as her two grandchildren, Colin and Connor, who affectionately called her Nana. She had a large extended family of sisters, nephews, and nieces whom she cared for deeply. While Todd and Brett were young, Betty served as room mother. She continued this volunteering with her grandchildren’s school, participating in Grandparent events. Betty created many family traditions such as Gingerbread House making, doing puzzles, and coloring, and talking about US history with her grandchildren. Betty’s favorite activities included reading, watching historical documentaries, her favorite soap operas and the Chicago Cubs. Music was a large part of her life and she was always so grateful for the chance given her by Hazel and Kenneth to have music education. Betty’s passion for history led her to many trips exploring genealogy for her family and church, often with her sisters, Joan and Kendra and niece Lamara. Her favorite holiday was Christmas, when she would bake delicious holiday desserts, decorate her beloved home, and celebrate with her family.
Betty is survived by her two sons Todd (Judy) Meier of Oswego and Brett (Nancy) Meier of Plainfield, her grandsons Colin and Connor Meier, her sister Kendra Shrode of Holland, MI as well as many nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews, and many cherished friends of her church community. She was preceded in death by her parents, Roy and Gladys Gregory, Hazel and Kenneth Blakely, sisters Joan Gregory, Ruth and brother-in-law Dick Wildermuth, Marjorie and brother-in-law Michael Hennigan, Roberta and brother-in-law Melvin Marvin, Izetta in infancy, brother Kenneth and sister-in-law Sue Niles Gregory, brother-in-law Larry Shrode, half-brother Gordon Gregory, half-sister Edith Gregory and son, Brent W. Meier, in infancy.
Funeral services will be held at Turner-Eighner Funeral Home in Plano on Saturday, February 27 at 1:00 pm with Pastor Jan Stoneking presiding. Visitation is from noon until time of service at 1:00 pm. Private interment at Little Rock Township Cemetery will follow. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Community of Christ Church, Plano, IL. For more information or to sign the online guest book please go to www.EighnerFuneralHome.com
Turner-Eighner Funeral Home
3952 Turner Ave
Plano, IL 60545
(630) 552-3022
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