Betty L. Debates

Betty DeBates, age 85, of Eureka, Illinois passed away at 9:50 am on Tuesday, May 13, 2014 at the Apostolic Christian Home, Eureka, Illinois. She was born on September 1, 1928 to Leroy and Leota (Reay) Welch in Bloomington, Illinois. She married Elmer Charles DeBates in 1965 in Peoria, Illinois. He died on August 3, 2011. Surviving are two sons, Jim (Pat) Paul of Metamora, IL and Brad (Deb) Paul of Washington, IL; six grandchildren, Ron Gerard, Joe Gerard, Stephanie Paul, Matthew Paul, Barry Paul, and Mackenzie Paul; three great-grandchildren, Steve Gerard, Macey Drawe and Presley Drawe; five sisters, Garnet Hempen, Ora Thompson, Patsy Dudas, Jerry Lee Anderson and Ann Wilson; and three brothers, Leroy Welch, Emil Welch and Donald Welch. She was preceded in death by her parents, one daughter, Connie Poliak, two sisters, Judy Welch and Katherine Ierace and one brother, Ronnie Reay. Betty worked at Hiram Walker during World War II. For over twenty years she worked at Paul?s Circle Tap in Peoria. She was of the Catholic faith. Betty was a bowler for over 50 years. She was a member of the Greater Peoria Bowlers Association and an inductee into their Hall of Fame in 2010. She was an avid Cubs fan. She was deeply loved by her family and will be greatly missed but got tired waiting for the Cubs to win the World Series. Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 16, 2014 at 2:30 pm at Mason Funeral Home Metamora Chapel with Pastor Steve Drennan officiating. Visitation will be held from 12:30 pm until service time on Friday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Glendale Cemetery, Washington. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer?s Wing at the Apostolic Christian Home, Eureka. Online condolences at www.masonfuneralhomes.com.