Donald Carl Betz, 90, of Galesburg, died at 1:15 a.m. Monday, November 8, 2021, at Seminary Manor, Galesburg.
Don was born August 14, 1931, in Galesburg, the son of Carl Harvey and Winona Ilene (Bloomfield) Betz. Don married Jenean Edna Witte on February 16, 1957, at St. Peters Evangelical Church in Kewanee. Don is survived by his wife of 64 years, Jenean of Galesburg; one daughter, Michelle (Ron) Carrothers of Dunlap; one son, Michael (Kendra) Betz of Knoxville; two grandsons, Jacob Betz and Justin Betz; and grand dog Skittles.
Don graduated from Galva High School in 1949. He then attended the Curry School of Aeronautics in Galesburg, graduating in 1951 with an aircraft and engine degree and his federal pilot's license. Don joined the US Army in 1951 with the 44th Division. He served in Korea from 1952 to 1953, assigned to the I Core 3rd Light Aviation Company. He was honorably discharged from the Army in January 1954.
After his discharge, Don went to work for the Caty Buick Garage in Galesburg. He started working at Burlington Truck Lines in the motor room in 1955 until 1974. While here Don served as secretary of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local 2063. Don then drove for Admiral until 1980, when he went to work for Knoxville Leasing until retiring in 1999 as the shop foreman.
Don was proud of his military service and belonged to the VFW Post 2257 and the Knoxville American Legion Post 749. Don had the privilege of flying on the honor flight with his son Michael as his escort. He was a good Christian man and was a member of Faith United Methodist Church of Galesburg, serving as a trustee. Don was a 66-year member of Alpha Lodge No. 155 A.F.&A.M.
Don loved his family dearly and enjoyed spending as much time with them as he could. He faithfully attended his grandson's school functions. Don was extremely mechanically inclined, a trait he passed down to his son Michael. Don's other passions included the railroad, traveling to RR museums and model railroading, working on and restoring antique cars, and cheering on the Cubs.
In honor of Don's military service, visitation will be on Veteran's Day from 5 to 7 p.m. at Watson Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory, Galesburg. Additional visitation will be Saturday, Nov. 13 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Faith United Methodist Church, Galesburg. Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. Pastors Paul Newhall and Curt Lipe officiating. Burial with military rites will be at Wataga Cemetery, Wataga, IL. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Faith United Methodist Church or to the Galesburg Rescue Mission. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.watsonthomas.com.
Posted online on November 09, 2021
Don was born August 14, 1931, in Galesburg, the son of Carl Harvey and Winona Ilene (Bloomfield) Betz. Don married Jenean Edna Witte on February 16, 1957, at St. Peters Evangelical Church in Kewanee. Don is survived by his wife of 64 years, Jenean of Galesburg; one daughter, Michelle (Ron) Carrothers of Dunlap; one son, Michael (Kendra) Betz of Knoxville; two grandsons, Jacob Betz and Justin Betz; and grand dog Skittles.
Don graduated from Galva High School in 1949. He then attended the Curry School of Aeronautics in Galesburg, graduating in 1951 with an aircraft and engine degree and his federal pilot's license. Don joined the US Army in 1951 with the 44th Division. He served in Korea from 1952 to 1953, assigned to the I Core 3rd Light Aviation Company. He was honorably discharged from the Army in January 1954.
After his discharge, Don went to work for the Caty Buick Garage in Galesburg. He started working at Burlington Truck Lines in the motor room in 1955 until 1974. While here Don served as secretary of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local 2063. Don then drove for Admiral until 1980, when he went to work for Knoxville Leasing until retiring in 1999 as the shop foreman.
Don was proud of his military service and belonged to the VFW Post 2257 and the Knoxville American Legion Post 749. Don had the privilege of flying on the honor flight with his son Michael as his escort. He was a good Christian man and was a member of Faith United Methodist Church of Galesburg, serving as a trustee. Don was a 66-year member of Alpha Lodge No. 155 A.F.&A.M.
Don loved his family dearly and enjoyed spending as much time with them as he could. He faithfully attended his grandson's school functions. Don was extremely mechanically inclined, a trait he passed down to his son Michael. Don's other passions included the railroad, traveling to RR museums and model railroading, working on and restoring antique cars, and cheering on the Cubs.
In honor of Don's military service, visitation will be on Veteran's Day from 5 to 7 p.m. at Watson Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory, Galesburg. Additional visitation will be Saturday, Nov. 13 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Faith United Methodist Church, Galesburg. Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. Pastors Paul Newhall and Curt Lipe officiating. Burial with military rites will be at Wataga Cemetery, Wataga, IL. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Faith United Methodist Church or to the Galesburg Rescue Mission. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.watsonthomas.com.
Posted online on November 09, 2021
Donald Carl Betz, 90, of Galesburg, died at 1:15 a.m. Monday, November 8, 2021, at Seminary Manor, Galesburg.
Don was born August 14, 1931, in Galesburg, the son of Carl Harvey and Winona Ilene (Bloomfield) Betz. Don married Jenean Edna Witte on February 16, 1957, at St. Peters Evangelical Church in Kewanee. Don is survived by his wife of 64 years, Jenean of Galesburg; one daughter, Michelle (Ron) Carrothers of Dunlap; one son, Michael (Kendra) Betz of Knoxville; two grandsons, Jacob Betz and Justin Betz; and grand dog Skittles.
Don graduated from Galva High School in 1949. He then attended the Curry School of Aeronautics in Galesburg, graduating in 1951 with an aircraft and engine degree and his federal pilot's license. Don joined the US Army in 1951 with the 44th Division. He served in Korea from 1952 to 1953, assigned to the I Core 3rd Light Aviation Company. He was honorably discharged from the Army in January 1954.
After his discharge, Don went to work for the Caty Buick Garage in Galesburg. He started working at Burlington Truck Lines in the motor room in 1955 until 1974. While here Don served as secretary of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local 2063. Don then drove for Admiral until 1980, when he went to work for Knoxville Leasing until retiring in 1999 as the shop foreman.
Don was proud of his military service and belonged to the VFW Post 2257 and the Knoxville American Legion Post 749. Don had the privilege of flying on the honor flight with his son Michael as his escort. He was a good Christian man and was a member of Faith United Methodist Church of Galesburg, serving as a trustee. Don was a 66-year member of Alpha Lodge No. 155 A.F.&A.M.
Don loved his family dearly and enjoyed spending as much time with them as he could. He faithfully attended his grandson's school functions. Don was extremely mechanically inclined, a trait he passed down to his son Michael. Don's other passions included the railroad, traveling to RR museums and model railroading, working on and restoring antique cars, and cheering on the Cubs.
In honor of Don's military service, visitation will be on Veteran's Day from 5 to 7 p.m. at Watson Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory, Galesburg. Additional visitation will be Saturday, Nov. 13 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Faith United Methodist Church, Galesburg. Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. Pastors Paul Newhall and Curt Lipe officiating. Burial with military rites will be at Wataga Cemetery, Wataga, IL. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Faith United Methodist Church or to the Galesburg Rescue Mission. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.watsonthomas.com.
Posted online on November 09, 2021
Don was born August 14, 1931, in Galesburg, the son of Carl Harvey and Winona Ilene (Bloomfield) Betz. Don married Jenean Edna Witte on February 16, 1957, at St. Peters Evangelical Church in Kewanee. Don is survived by his wife of 64 years, Jenean of Galesburg; one daughter, Michelle (Ron) Carrothers of Dunlap; one son, Michael (Kendra) Betz of Knoxville; two grandsons, Jacob Betz and Justin Betz; and grand dog Skittles.
Don graduated from Galva High School in 1949. He then attended the Curry School of Aeronautics in Galesburg, graduating in 1951 with an aircraft and engine degree and his federal pilot's license. Don joined the US Army in 1951 with the 44th Division. He served in Korea from 1952 to 1953, assigned to the I Core 3rd Light Aviation Company. He was honorably discharged from the Army in January 1954.
After his discharge, Don went to work for the Caty Buick Garage in Galesburg. He started working at Burlington Truck Lines in the motor room in 1955 until 1974. While here Don served as secretary of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local 2063. Don then drove for Admiral until 1980, when he went to work for Knoxville Leasing until retiring in 1999 as the shop foreman.
Don was proud of his military service and belonged to the VFW Post 2257 and the Knoxville American Legion Post 749. Don had the privilege of flying on the honor flight with his son Michael as his escort. He was a good Christian man and was a member of Faith United Methodist Church of Galesburg, serving as a trustee. Don was a 66-year member of Alpha Lodge No. 155 A.F.&A.M.
Don loved his family dearly and enjoyed spending as much time with them as he could. He faithfully attended his grandson's school functions. Don was extremely mechanically inclined, a trait he passed down to his son Michael. Don's other passions included the railroad, traveling to RR museums and model railroading, working on and restoring antique cars, and cheering on the Cubs.
In honor of Don's military service, visitation will be on Veteran's Day from 5 to 7 p.m. at Watson Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory, Galesburg. Additional visitation will be Saturday, Nov. 13 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Faith United Methodist Church, Galesburg. Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. Pastors Paul Newhall and Curt Lipe officiating. Burial with military rites will be at Wataga Cemetery, Wataga, IL. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Faith United Methodist Church or to the Galesburg Rescue Mission. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.watsonthomas.com.
Posted online on November 09, 2021
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