Betty Jo Casper

Betty Jo Casper, age 93, a resident of rural Belknap Illinois, passed away peacefully Monday evening at her home with her 4 daughters at her bedside. She was born May 15, 1926 in Cypress, Illinois to Mary Belle (Karraker) and Leland Keller. On December 27th, 1947 in Carbondale, Illinois, she married Guy “Bud” Casper, Jr., who preceded her in death in 2015. Betty Jo is survived by her brother, Charles Mason, III, and his wife, Sandy; her 4 daughters and their husbands– Sarah Jane and Michael Bailey of Lubbock, Texas, Betty Jean and Scott Obourn of Vienna, IL, Judy Sue and Michael Brummer of Shumway, IL, and Joyce Elaine and Dan Teich of St. Joseph, Michigan; 12 grandchildren and their spouses- Tiffany and Nathan Bigelow, Brandon and Nikki Bailey, Melanie and Harry Blackstock, Darren Obourn, Malcolm and Amanda Obourn, John Obourn, Jason and Tiffany Brummer, Jennifer and Jeff Bunton, Amanda and Matt Everett, Chris and Morgan Teich, Sarah Jane and Jake Meyers and Ryan Teich; 20 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives, many dear friends, and her faithful and beloved dog, Lily. In addition to her parents and husband, her beloved step-father, Charles H. Mason, II preceded her in death. Betty Jo spent her childhood in Cypress, IL with her parents Mary Belle and Charles and her brother, Charles. She was a graduate of Vienna High School and Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, graduating in 1948. She worked for many years as a teacher in several schools in Southern Illinois, including Ullin, Century and Dongola High Schools, retiring from Dongola High School in 1981. After her retirement from teaching, Betty Jo became an Emergency Medical Technician and volunteered with the Johnson County Ambulance Service. Betty Jo was active in the Belknap United Methodist Church, volunteering as a Sunday School teacher and Church Treasurer in past years. She was a past active member in the Eastern Star, Sigma Sigma Sigma, Delta Kappa Gamma and the Johnson County Home Extension. In 1973, Betty Jo was inducted into the Beta Omicron chapter of Delta Pi Epsilon, a National Honorary Graduate Fraternity in Business Education which now exists as the research division of the National Business Education Association. Betty Jo was also a dedicated farm wife and a devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, supporting her family through many challenges and celebrating an abundance of successes over the years. After their retirement, Betty Jo and Bud indulged their passions for travel and fishing. Together they ventured to Alaska, Australia and many other destinations and enjoyed several winters in their Florida home near Lake Okeechobee. They enjoyed 67 wonderful years of marriage before Bud’s death in 2015. Betty Jo’s visitation will be conducted Saturday, February 1, 2020, from 12 Noon – 2 PM with Funeral service at 2 PM at Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna, Illinois. Pastor Steve Heisner will officiate. Burial will be in the Cypress Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Belknap United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 167, Belknap, Illinois 62908 or to the Spero Family Services (formerly known as United Methodist Children’s Home), 2023 Richview Road, Mt. Vernon, Illinois 62864.

Betty Jo Casper

May 15, 1926 - January 27, 2020