Mrs. Betty M. Dawson, 86, of Galesburg, Illinois died 5:47 a.m. Wednesday, September 13, 2023, at Marigold Health Care Center, Galesburg.
She was born October 28, 1936, in Abingdon, Illinois to Tecumseh Guy and Maggie (Gates) Bean. She married Charles Wesley Malcolm in 1959 in Wataga, Illinois. She later married Howard Lee “Butch” Dawson, September 16, 1975, in Wataga. He preceded her in death January 24, 2002.
Surviving are two daughters, Kimberly (and Richard) Jensen of Galesburg and Mary Main of Oneida, Illinois, two stepchildren, Steven (and Debbie) Dawson of Pearland, Texas and Rhonda (and Steve) O’Dell of Hampshire, Texas, two sisters, Barbara (and Robert) LaFollette of Galesburg and Wanda (and Jim) Parrish of Ohio, four grandchildren, five great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild. She was preceded in death by her parents, five brothers including an infant twin brother, Robert Bean, Glenn Bean, Clarence Bean, Vernon Bean, and Donald Bean, and two sisters, Joyce Bean and Helen Johnson.
Betty graduated from Galesburg High School in 1956. She attended Brown’s Business College in Galesburg. She went to work as an operator for Intrastate Telephone Company and several other companies, including Centel, Sprint and Gallatin River Telephone Companies, all in Galesburg. She retired as an operator after almost 40 years in 1994. She later worked for Sears and Bergner’s in Galesburg as a clerk and salesperson. She was a member of Faith Luteran Church in Wataga. She enjoyed watching the Chicago Bull in the 1990’s. Her passion was Harley Davidson Motorcycles. She loved riding and taking several trips with her friends and husband, Butch.
Cremation will be accorded. A graveside service will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, September 20, 2023, at Oak Lawn Memorial Gardens in Galesburg. Rev. Tim Anderson will officiate. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or the Knox County Humane Society. Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Service Galesburg Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.
