Betty Ann McCowen, 87, formerly of Waltonville, Illinois, passed away at 12:28 pm January 12, 2023, at Green Tree Assisted Living Center in Mount Vernon, Illinois.
Betty McCowen was born in Moline, Illinois on February 18, 1935, to the late Harold and Mary (DeClerq) Olivier. She married the late Jarrell “Jerry” McCowen on July 2, 1955. They were proudly married for 66 years before his death on July 5, 2021.
Betty is survived by her four children, Mary Beth Lance and husband, Ronald of Mount Vernon, Harold McCowen and wife, Cyndi of San Antonio, Texas, John McCowen and wife, Shelly of Mount Vernon, and Katrina Newell and husband, Paul of Dyersburg, Tennessee; nine grandchildren, Stephanie White and Greg, Staci Bechtel and Brian, Chad Newell, and Lexie, Lori Newell and Chris, Casey Newell and Claire, Craig Vishy and Morgan, Annie McCowen and C.J., Kayleigh McCowen, and Shelby McCowen; eleven great-grandchildren, Gabriel White, Maura White, Izaic Bechtel, Silas Newell, Carter Sakarelos, Sophia Bechtel, Sutton Newell, Willa Vishy, Henry Newell, Liam Berry, and Loukas Sakarelos; sister, Mary Jo Barva and husband, Fred of Mount Vernon; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and husband, Betty was preceded in death by her siblings, Edward Olivier, Robert Olivier, Donald Olivier, Theresa Odle, and Joyce Sedlacek.
Betty was a member of Saint Mary Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Her love and faith in God was strong. Betty also had many talents, including sewing quilts for each of her children as a wedding gift and making her annual handmade Christmas ornaments for each grandchild. She loved and was very proud of all her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Betty was loved by many and will be missed by all.
A Funeral Mass will be held Monday, January 16, 2023, at 11:00 am at Saint Mary Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Mount Vernon with Father Nick Junker officiating. Interment will follow at Knob Prairie Cemetery in Waltonville, Illinois. Memorials may be made in Betty’s honor to Knob Prairie Cemetery or Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Call Newell Funeral Home at 618-279-7272 or visit newellfuneralhome.com for further information.
