Betty L. (Grooms) Thrush

OTTAWA – Betty L. Thrush, age 85, passed away Friday afternoon, May 5, 2017, at Ottawa Pavilion.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 9, 2017 at Gladfelter Funeral Home with Chaplain Richard Hillenbrand officiating.  Interment will follow in Oakwood Memorial Park.  Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. until the time of service Tuesday at the funeral home.  Pallbearers will be Chris Thrush, Nick Thrush, Bobby Thrush, Gary Hedlin, Jason Thrush, and Jimmy Thrush Jr.  Honorary pallbearers will be Matthew Thrush and George R. Hedlin IV.

Betty was born February 21, 1932 in Ottawa, a daughter of Orville and Lillyian (Hoffman) Grooms.  She married Robert A. Thrush on June 23, 1951 in Streator and they were married 54 years until his passing on October 2, 2005.  She is survived by her son, Robert A. Thrush Jr. (Pamela) of Ottawa; daughter, Julie (Thrush) Hedlin of Ottawa; daughter, Patricia Burgh (Steve) of Ottawa; son, Steve Thrush (Annette) of Marseilles; son, James Thrush Sr. (Susie) of Ottawa; son, Thomas Thrush (Brenda) of Ottawa; thirteen grandchildren, thirteen great grandchildren; and sisters, Florence Robinson of Rockford and Darlene Vargo of Ottawa.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert; two grandsons, Timothy Hedlin and Brian Thrush; one brother; and four sisters.

Betty was a past member of the Women’s Auxiliaries of the Moose, American Legion, and VFW.  She was a devoted wife to her late husband and mother to her six children.  Betty cherished her family and the time spent with them.  Our fond memories of her will forever be in our hearts.  Memorial contributions may be directed to the family.

To share a memory or sign the guestbook, please visit www.gladfelterfuneralhome.com or Gladfelter Funeral Home on Facebook.