Betty Thurston

Betty Marie Cope Thurston, 91, of Jerseyville, Illinois, passed away at 7:30AM on Friday, May 12, 2017 at her home in Jerseyville.   

Betty was born December 18, 1925 in Jerseyville, Illinois, the daughter of Florence Kathleen Marie Snell Cope and John Raymond Cope.  Following the death of her father, her mother remarried and Betty became the stepdaughter of Fred Schultz.

She married Richard (Dick) Lee Thurston at the First Presbyterian Church in Jerseyville, Illinois on April 25, 1948. He survives her. 

 In addition to her husband, other survivors include two sons, Eric Thurston (Terry) of Godfrey, IL and Craig Thurston (Lori) of Jerseyville, IL, two daughters, Bev Reynolds (Marty) and Rhonda Bechtold (Denny), ten grandchildren, Erica Thurston, Jarrod Reynolds (Rachel), Jason Bechtold (Heather), Carley Arnsman (Josh), Tarah Bechtold, Breanna Reynolds, Jenna Bechtold, Maria Thurston, Macy Thurston and Mackenzie Thurston, six great grandchildren, Eleanor Reynolds, Allison Reynolds, Benjamin Reynolds, Deacon Arnsman, Harper Bechtold and Hudson Bechtold.

 Betty was preceded in death by her parents and stepfather, a sister, Marcella Mozier, a brother, Robert Cope, a step-brother, Eldon Schultz and a grandson, Ian Reynolds.

 Betty attended grade school and high school in Jerseyville, Illinois. After graduating high school she worked as a switchboard operator at the telephone company, then worked in the office of the shoe factory in Jerseyville.  She also worked for the Jersey Community Unit 100 School District for 13 years, checking the vision and hearing of students.  She was a devoted Christian and an 80-year member of the First Presbyterian Church in Jerseyville.  Over the years, Betty and Dick enjoyed golf at Westlake Country Club, spending time with friends, and traveling to various places.  They especially enjoyed their many trips to Gatlinburg, Tennessee.  Betty was also a homemaker, and a kind and loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother.  Above all, her greatest joy in life was her family, and she always put her family first.  She especially loved spending the holidays with her family, with Christmas being the holiday she loved the most. 

A visitation will be held from 9:00AM – 11:00AM on Thursday, May 18, 2017 at the First Presbyterian Church in Jerseyville, Illinois.  The funeral service will follow at 11:00am at the church with Pastor John Beehler. Burial will be in the Oak Grove Cemetery in Jerseyville.  Alexander & Gubser Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church in Jerseyville.

Obit Provided By:
Alexander Funeral Home