Elizabeth L. ” Bette ” Vance, age 92, of Monmouth, Illinois; passed away
at 8:10 pm on Friday October 23, 2020 at Courtyard Estates in Monmouth,
IL Bette was born on December 30, 1927 in Monmouth and is the daughter
of Emery B. and Dorothy E. Shauman Davis. Bette was raised in the
Monmouth area where she attended Lucas Rural School and graduated from Monmouth High School. She then attended and graduated from Monmouth College where she was a member of Pi Beta Phi Fraternity. Bette then attended and attained a Masters Degree from the University of Illinois
in Champaign in 1975. Bette married Donovan Duke Vance on December 16,
1950 at Coldbrook Christian Church. He preceded her in death on February
10, 1998. Bette taught grade school at both Willits School in Monmouth
and the Silas Willard School in Galesburg and was a member of the
Elementary School Teachers Association. Don and Bette also resided in
Springfield for 35 years where she again taught grade school until
returning to Oquawka in 1985 and was a member of the HCE Rozetta
Homemakers. Bette is a member of Faith United Presbyterian Church where
is in a member of the Fillman Fellowship and served as a Deacon. She
also was in the Thai Circle She is a member of Chapter E of PEO and is
a member of the Alumni Club of Pi Beta Phi which she was a member of
while in Monmouth College. She is a member of the Warren County Chapter
of DAR and the Crimson Clan.
After her husbands death, she also was a funeral attendant for Turnbull Funeral Home in Oquawka and Monmouth for many years and was part of their staff. Bette loved to travel and loved to read books. She was fond of great movies, knitting, cooking, and bird watching. She also liked to host gatherings and provided much for all every time.
She is survived by her daughter, Amy Hofmeister and Bill of Oquawka,
Illinois and her granddaughter, Nichole “Nikki” Hofmeister of Monmouth,
Illinois. She is preceded in her death by her parents, her husband,
Donovan, and her brother, Bill Davis.
Due to social distancing and recommendations by the Center for Disease
Control restrictions are suggested and masks would be recommended. A
funeral service for Bette Vance is planned at Turnbull Funeral Home in
Monmouth on Friday October 30, 2020 at 10:30 am. Her interment will
follow in Monmouth Cemetery next to her husband, Donovan. Friends and
family may call and pay their respects to Bette at the Turnbull Funeral
Home Monmouth on Thursday all day. A memorial fund is being established for either, Wednesday Night Live at Faith United Presbyterian Church of Monmouth, or the PEO Scholarship Fund. To leave a remembrance of Bette or for more information please visit www.turnbullfuneralhomes.com
