Ruth P. Bethurem

Ruth P. Bethurem, age 96 of Highland, IL, died Friday, October 18, 2013, at Faith Countryside Homes/Faith Care Center in Highland, IL. She was born on Sunday, December 03, 1916, in Dallas, TX, the daughter of George L. and Sidony M. (nee Peters) Pettibone. On Saturday, June 12, 1937, she married Van H. Bethurem who passed away on Friday, November 25, 1988. She was a member of First Congregational Church, Highland, IL; Dorcas Fellowship member of the church; former member of the Methodist Church, Elizabeth, IL. Ruth was born in Texas, and at age 3 1/2 she moved to Harrisburg, PA. At 6 years old she moved to Rockford, IL, later to Wichita KS, and Rock Island, IL. After her marriage she lived in Chicago, Des Plaines for 25 years and Elizabeth, IL for 23 years before moving to Highland in 1998. While in Chicago she was a secretary for the City of Chicago. She reared her family and returned to the job market as a secretary at Maine West High School in Des Plaines, IL, for 8 years. Her hobbies in her younger years included playing golf and tennis. The later years she enjoyed playing cards, doing word puzzles, reading, making her own greeting cards and being with her family. Survivors include: Daughter - Barbara A. (James) Burgett, Highland, IL Son - George V. ("Patty" Patricia) Bethurem, El Sobrante - Richmond, CA Son - Robert "Rob" V. (Alice Ann) Bethurem, Bloomingdale, IL Grandchild - Stacey L. (Brian) Zobrist, Highland, IL Grandchild - Jennifer M. (Michael) Schaible, Highland, IL Grandchild - Douglas J. (Vanessa) Burgett, Champaign, IL Grandchild - Wendy R. (Roger) Chang, El Grove , CA Grandchild - Christina Bethurem, Oakland, CA Grandchild - Allison Bethurem, Sacramento, CA Great Grandchild - Rachel E. Molinari Great Grandchild - Andrew J. Molinari Great Grandchild - Grace D. Zobrist Great Grandchild - Nicholas M. Schaible Great Grandchild - Paige B. Schaible Great Grandchild - Luke G. Schaible Great Grandchild - Emma R. Chang Great Grandchild - Hannah Chang She was preceded in death by: Husband - Van H. Bethurem died 11/25/1988 Father - George L. Pettibone Mother - Sidony M. Pettibone nee Peters Brother - George Pettibone Sister - Dorothy A. Pitts Brother - Ralph K. Pettibone Arrangements are being handled by Spengel-Boulanger Funeral Home in Highland, Illinois. Memorial service will be at 11:00 AM on Saturday, October 26, 2013, at 1st Congregational Church in Highland, IL, with Rev. Greg S. Brady, Pastor, officiating. Private Interment will be at Elizabeth Cemetery in Elizabeth, IL, at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to First Congregational Church.

Ruth P. Bethurem

December 3, 1916 - October 18, 2013