Betty J. Bunch, 75, of Galesburg, died July 8, 2020 in Northwestern Hospital in Chicago.
She was born February 9, 1945, in Centreville, Mississippi, the daughter of Napolen and Carrie (McGhee) Stafford. She married Rodney E. Bunch on June 28, 1969, in Maywood, Illinois.
She is survived by her husband of 51 years, Rodney; two daughters, Bettina N. (Ronald) Collins of Georgia and Telicia L. Bunch of New York; a grandson, Dominic Bunch Collins; two brothers, Nolen W. (Joyce) Stafford of Louisiana and Willie G. (Marie) Stafford of Mississippi; four sisters, Georgia Stone of California, Isola Gilmore of Texas, Masie Kelley of Arizona, and Christine (Olice) Arnold of California; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, and six sisters.
Betty retired from the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad after 30 years of service where she was Galesburg’s first African-American female railroad engineer. She also worked as a beautician for over 40 years. She graduated from Amite High School in Gloster, Mississippi in 1963. She then attended beauty school. She had lived in Galesburg since 1973. Betty was a member of Allen Chapel AME Church.
Visitation will be Saturday July 18, 2020 from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services Galesburg Chapel. Funeral service will immediately follow. Cremation will be accorded following the service with burial in East Linwood Cemetery for family members on Monday, July 20, 2020.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Northwestern Memorial Foundation, 541 North Fairbanks Court, Chicago, IL 60611. Please make checks payable to Northwestern Memorial Foundation and include Betty Bunch in the memo line. Donations can also be made online at http://giving.nm.org/bettybunch or over the phone at 312-926-2033. Your gift will support Northwestern Medicine Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.
