Betty June Brinegar

Betty June Brinegar, 98, passed from this life to her eternal home June 15, 2023, at Clark Lindsey with family by her side. Betty was born February 10, 1925, in Wabash, Indiana, the daughter of Gail W. and Mildred (Phillips) Malott. She married Ted L. Brinegar on February 10, 1945, in Springfield, IL.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband Ted, her parents, son, Gary, a grandson, two brother, a sister, and a stepbrother.

She is survived by her son, Randall (Deb) Brinegar, daughters, Tonda (David) Perry, Peggy (Brad) Miracle, Jennifer (Neil) Young, along with eight grandchildren, one step granddaughter, and thirteen great grandchildren.

After Ted and Betty married, they lived in Peoria, IL where Ted worked for the Addressograph Multigraph Co. His work then took them to the Danville area, and they eventually settled in Fithian. In Fithian they raised five children and started their own business as owners and operators of the Overhead Door Co. of Danville- Champaign. They also owned Midwest Home Improvement. In 2006 they moved to Urbana.

Betty grew up in Somerset, Indiana, a little town situated on the southern bank of the Mississinewa River. Her first years were spent living on a farm before moving to a little house on a cliff above the river in town. She was known to have skipped school on occasion and could be found swimming in the river. The Indiana Impressionist landscape painter, Homer G. Davisson, sketched her at age twelve skating down the road on her roller skates near the cottage where he often spent his summers painting rural scenes. Betty graduated from Somerset High School and then worked in nearby Wabash.

Clark Lindsey became her home after her husband passed. She loved her new life and friends but longed to return to her farm and friends in Fithian.

We, her children, will remember her with deep love and gratitude for the mother she was. One granddaughter said of her "She was feisty, straight talking with a quick wit and very kind." Another described her as "sassy, strong willed, always ready for mischief, a force of nature- a magnificent grandmother." We all agree she had a busier social life at 98than any of us. She and Dad loved dancing to Big Band music. She was still dancing to the music of Billy Vaughn at her recent 98th birthday party.

Having accepted the Lord Jesus as her Savior in her teens, she was ready to join Ted. Her last days were surrounded by her children, grandchildren, and friends. As only a child could express so well, her five-year-old great granddaughter said "Grandma died of oldness." Such a blessing to die of "oldness" surrounded by family and friends, having lived a full life and having the assurance she would soon be reunited with those she loved. She will be missed but will forever live on through her children and grandchildren. We see several "little Bettys" already on the move.

The family thanks Clark Lindsey and the entire staff for providing a home these last years. We thank Meeting Your Needs for their loving and professional care, Mother loved her aides and they soon became family. We also thank all the Carle physicians for their care these last years.

There will be a graveside service as per her wishes Thursday, June 22, 2023, at 1:00pm at Stearns Cemetery in Fithian, IL with Pastor Jie Wu Smith from the Fithian United Methodist Church officiating.

Since early childhood mother was surrounded by pets. We suggest that anyone wishing to honor her donate to the Humane Society of your choosing.

"Motherhood is a million little moments that God weaves together with grace, redemption, laughter, tears, and most of all, love." -Lysa Terkeurst