Obituary of Betty French

BETTY FRENCH

STERLING-Betty French, 99, of Sterling died August 20, 2017 at Morningside of Sterling.  Betty was born July 1, 1918 in Dixon, the daughter of  Hugh H. and Gladys (Gonnerman) Senneff. She graduated from Dixon High School as valedictorian.  She married Ray French in January 1982. He preceded her in death on October 10, 2011.                                                          

     Betty was a charter member of the Pink Ladies Auxiliary at CGH. As a Pink Lady she worked in all departments, assisted nurses, working with the gift cart and she was the jewelry buyer for the gift shop. She was also a charter member of Ladies of the Elk, Sterling, was philanthropic chair and Vice-President then President in a matter of years. She was a master gardener (60 hours of education through University of Illinois). She was on Whiteside County Board of Republican women for twenty years. She also managed Riverside Cemetery, Sterling for three years.

    Survivors include one son, Ross G. (Linda) Melvin of Chattanooga, TN;  three step-daughters, Suzanne (John) French Walrath Effinger of Mesa, AZ, Kathryn French of Portland, OR and Sheri French of Pine Island, MN; one step-son, John Douglas French of Sterling; two granddaughters, Stacey Melvin (Jim) Blackwell of Gardner KS, Kelly Melvin (Jay) Jolley of Chattanooga; one grandson Ross J. (Nadia) Melvin of Chattanooga, TN; four great-grandchildren Jon Boldt, Jamie Atwood, Olivia Grace Jolley and Ryan Blackwell; and three great-great grandchildren Lilly, Dylan, and Lincoln;  step great-grandaughter, Evelyn Walrath of Mesa AZ;  four step great-grandsons Jacob DiGiacomo of Apache Junction, AZ, Sage Quick of Tuscon, AZ, Kazki Quick of Salem, OR, and Henry Dudley of Albuquerque, NM.

   She was also preceded in death by a daughter, Olivia V .Melvin

   Funeral services will be 11 AM Thursday August 24, 2017 at the Schilling Funeral Home and Cremation, Sterling. Visitation will be from 9AM - 10:45 AM. Burial will be at Oakwood Cemetery, Dixon.     

   A memorial has been established to Hospice of Rock River Valley.

   Condolences may be sent to www.schillingfuneralhome.com.