Betty Marie Slayton

Betty Marie Slayton, 88, of Danville, passed away peacefully, with her daughter by her side at 1:11 AM on Wednesday, January 8, 2020 in Garden Court at Hawthorne Inn of Danville.

Betty was born August 13, 1931 to Archie and Ruby (Drollinger) Gustafson.  One of five children, she grew up with her three brothers, Archie Jr., Alvin, and Bob, and her beloved sister Bonnie.

Betty graduated from Bismarck High School where she was nicknamed "Gussie, a cheery little dearie", and upon graduation, went to work for the telephone company.  Betty soon fell head over heels for a handsome Ted Slayton, a decorated Army veteran, who quickly became enchanted with the dark-haired beauty.  Following their marriage, they started their family with a son, Ted Jr., and then came two daughters, Kathy and Susan.

Ted and Betty raised their 3 children on Virginia Street back in the good old days, and greatly enjoyed the company of many friends, which included Glenn and Dorothy Jones and their two daughters, Janet and Cindy.  There were many lively card games, barbecues, and fun fireworks on the Fourth of July.  Betty and Dorothy remained bosom buddies until Dorothy's recent passing on Christmas day.                                                                 

Blessed with the gift to gab, Betty was a natural, working at the Doctor's Exchange switchboard and later reception/switchboard/admitting at Lakeview Memorial Hospital and Provena USMC. In her many years there, lots of good friends and memories were made, and she retired in 1996.                                                                                                              

Betty loved traveling, especially to California to visit her sister Bonnie and daughter Kathy.  She loved the ocean and going with her daughter Kathy to watch her son-in-law, Charlie, play in the Bob Hope Classic (and even getting a hug from Arnold Palmer, which thrilled her!)  She was happy when her sister Bonnie said goodbye to California and Arizona and came back to Danville to live.  Betty loved listening to music, enjoyed playing cards with friends, and marveled at the beauty of nature.  Betty attended Pleasant Grove Bible Chapel.

There is no doubt that Betty's quality of life was better by 100% because of the love, care, and kindness of her daughter, Susan.  No one could have had more devotion and concern for every aspect of Betty's care and keeping.  The family will be forever grateful for her passion and devotion to Betty for the past 20 years, since her husband, Ted's passing.

Betty with a heart of gold and compassion for all...loved to laugh, had an abundance of friends, and enjoyed life to the fullest.  Her greatest love was for her family and her family loves her immensely.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, husband Ted Sr., infant son Michael Todd, son Ted Jr., and brothers Archie Jr., Alvin, and Bob Gustafson

Betty will be missed dearly by daughter Susan (Mark) Bounds of Danville, daughter Kathy (Charlie) Coulter of La Quinta, CA, sister Bonnie Ohlrich (Jim Knight) of Danville, Becky Engel (Ted Jr.) of Danville, grandson Todd Slayton of Danville, and nieces and nephews.

Betty's family especially would like to extend their gratitude to all of the Garden Court staff at Hawthorne Inn for their care and comfort to Betty, which they affectionately referred to as "Betty Marie, sweet as can be".

Betty's life will be celebrated every day by her family, from all the memories and all of the love that she exuded.

Betty will be laid to rest alongside her husband, Ted, at Danville National Cemetery, following a private committal service. Memorials may be made in her memory to Pleasant Grove Bible Chapel, 3279 E. Main St., Danville, IL 61834. Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Danville 3940 North Vermilion St. Danville IL, 61834 assisted the family with arrangements. Please join Betty’s family in sharing photos and memories on her tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com

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