Betty Finney, 100, passed away Sunday, January 29, 2017, at Kansas City Hospice House, Kansas City, MO. Visitation and the Mass of Resurrection were held Feb. 1, 2017, at the Church of the Ascension, Overland Park, KS. Burial will be at the Monticello (Ill.) Cemetery Saturday, Feb. 4th. 2017 at 1PM.
Betty was born Nov. 3, 1916, at Edina, MO. She was the daughter of Henry H. Jaster and Emma Catherine “Dixie” (Baker) Jaster. She graduated from Carthage, IL. High School and Carthage College, Carthage, IL. in 1938. While in college she was a member of Pi Phi Nu Sorority, The Dramatic Club, choir, band, and orchestra.
June 5, 1940, she married Lavere “Wally” Gregory, in Carthage, IL. He was a teacher, coach and administrator in the Illinois communities of LaPrairie and Griggsville. They moved in 1946 to Monticello, IL. Betty became a teacher in the Monticello school district. She spent most of her years teaching sixth grade at the White Heath Grade School. She retired in 1976 with twenty seven years of service as an educator. During her years in Monticello she was a member of the Saint Philomena Alter and Rosary Society, Garden Club, and numerous bridge clubs. She was a church organist and choir member. Wally preceded her in death November 17, 1981.
December 27, 1990, she married Charles T. Finney, of Rantoul, IL. They enjoyed over twelve years of marriage before his passing, April 1, 2003. They were accomplished dancers, having been cast in a movie produced by WILL Television that showcased their ballroom talents. Vacations to Hawaii, Florida, and Europe were special times for them.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents, brother, Horace, and nephew James Jaster. She is survived by her son Vincent (Doreen) of Overland Park, KS, three grandchildren; Mark (Rebecca) of Shawnee, KS, Christopher (Erica) of Overland Park, KS, and Dawn Gregory Bauer (Marvin), of Shawnee, KS. Survivors also include six great grandchildren and ten beloved nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be made to Carthage College, Kenosha, Wisconsin.
“Friends of our God, though they may pass away
Will never be forsaken.
All those asleep who in God’s Memory stay,
From death He will awaken.
Then we’ll come to see all that life can be:
Paradise eternally.”
Job 14:13-15
John 6:40