Frank & Bright Funeral Home

Betty Wathan

Aug 5th, 1926 - Nov 8th, 2017

   Betty M. Wathan, age 91, of Flora, Illinois, passed away Wednesday, November 8, 2017, at Clay County Hospital in Flora.

   Betty was born August 5, 1926, the daughter of Wayne D. and Maude E. (Blackwell) McVeigh.  She married William A. "Bill" Wathan on May 1, 1949, in Flora, and together they shared 38 years of marriage.  He preceded her in death on November 10, 1987.

   Betty grew up on a dairy farm in Clay County and attended Lincoln School which at that time was a one room school house with the same teacher.  She later went on to graduate from Flora High School.  Betty had several work experiences during her life including working for Dr. Dillman, Dr. Fehrenbacher, and Dr. Webb; she worked at Sears Roebuck in Kankakee and Flora and also at JC Penney; and even sold cars at one time.  Betty did bookkeeping for her husband’s oil field work and in later years was a caregiver to her husband.  She also enjoyed playing cards and was in 2 Pinochle Clubs.  She was raised in the Christian Church, was a past member of North Harter Christian Church, and most recently a member of First Southern Baptist Church in Flora.  It was truly Betty’s hope that people would see Jesus in the life she led.

   She is survived by her son: William Asher Wathan (wife Teresa) of Columbia; daughter-in-law: Cheryl Wathan of Louisville; 4 grandchildren: Jamie Wathan, Michael Wathan, Brandon Wathan, and Nikki (Brian) Vinyard; and 4 great-grandchildren: Austin, Hunter, Natalie, and Gabriella.

   She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; a son: Andy Wayne Wathan; 2 brothers: Robert and Charles McVeigh; and 4 sisters: Geneva Caldwell, Francis Wilson, Kathryn Vaughan, and Genell McDaniel.

   A funeral service for Betty Wathan will be held 12 Noon Saturday, November 25, 2017, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora, with visitation from 10 a.m. until the service time on Saturday.  Interment will be in Elmwood Cemetery.  Memorial donations in Betty’s memory may be given to Clay County Hospital Auxiliary and will be accepted at the funeral home.