Esther Elizabeth "Betty" (Brooks) Kerans

MATTOON – Esther Elizabeth “Betty” Kerans, age 92, of Mattoon, passed away at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, July 28, 2012 at Mattoon Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center.

Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 31 ^st at the First Christian Church with the Rev. Steven Hayes and the Rev. Robert Clark officiating.  Interment will follow in Rest Haven Memorial Gardens.  Visitation will be from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. Tuesday at the church.  Gladfelter Funeral Home, Ottawa, Illinois is honored to handle arrangements.

Esther Elizabeth Brooks was born August 29, 1919 in Ashmore, Illinois.  She married Leland J. Kerans December 2, 1935 at Marshall, Illinois.  He preceded her in death August 2, 1991 along with a daughter, Doris J. Scott in 2000.  Betty leaves a son, Ronald Kerans and wife Annetta; seven grandchildren, Susan (Anthony) Hoeppner, Mark Kerans, Kathy (Rob) Newlin, Joe Scott, Mike Scott, Mitch (Anita) Kerans and Jim Scott (Cindy); eleven great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.  She also leaves special friends Wayne and Judy Schumacher and Steve Lee.

Betty and Leland owned and operated K & S Transfer from 1956 to 1992.  She enjoyed working at Montgomery Wards and Spiegel’s, but often said her favorite job was working with Miss Honn and cooking for the students at the Franklin School cafeteria.

Betty had been a member of the First Christian Church since 1945 and was a member of the HIS Sunday School Class.  Her life was church, family and friends.  She enjoyed playing pinochle with card club members and reading poetry.  Betty was an “ever hopeful” Chicago Cubs fan!

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Mattoon Area Food Pantry or Meals on Wheels where Betty volunteered for many years.