Elizabeth L. Betty Kempen Obituary (1924 - 2017)

October 13, 1924 September 22, 2017 Elizabeth L. "Betty" Kempen, 92, of Joliet, formerly of Clifton, passed away at 9:25 pm on Friday September 22, 2017 at Heritage Health in El Paso. Cremation rites will be accorded and a Memorial Mass will be held at 10:00 am on Thursday September 28, 2017 at St. John's Catholic Church in Cullom, Rev David Sabel will officiate. Inurnment will follow in St. John's Cemetery in Cullom. Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the church. Memorial contributions in Betty's name may be made to OSF Eastern Region Hospice or Illinois State University Horticulture Center. Calvert & Martin Funeral Home in Cullom is handling the arrangements. Betty was born on October 13, 1924 in Cabery, IL a daughter of William M. and Carrie (Weber) Koerner. She married William D. Kempen in 1951, they later divorced. Surviving are her children: Shirley Murphy of Normal, IL, Roger (MaryAnn) Kempen of Rutledge, TN, Linda Spivey of Dwight, IL and John (Carol) Kempen of Mahomet, IL; grandchildren: Beth Murphy, Melissa (Armando Alegre) Murphy, Sara (Erich Hall) Murphy, Janet (James) Cunning, John (Tracie) Kempen, Jeffrey Kempen, Jarrett (Jackie) Kempen, Jenna (Nick Gordon) Kempen, Jace Kempen, Larry (Amber) Barton, LeAnn (Charles) Hill; great grandchildren: Zia Kelly, Molly Kelly, Paolo Alegre-Murphy, Graham Murphy-Hall, Adele Murphy-Hall, Barry Murphy-Hall, Jordyn (Brianna) Cunning, Jessica Cunning, Emily Kempen, Abby Kempen, Cannon Hill, Colin Hill, Bella Barton and Tucker; one brother: John (Sheila) Koerner of Cabery, IL. she was preceded in death by her parents, sisters: Mary Margaret Koerner, Rosella Knittel and Dorine Weigel; brothers Merlin and Donald Koerner. Betty was a graduate of Cabery High School and spent many years managing the family electrical contracting business. She was also a retired telephone operator and a member of Telephone Pioneers of America. Through her love of golf, Betty developed many lasting friendships in the Joliet area. Betty kept a daily journal for more than 25 years, and her family looks forward to reading about about the details of her life and the history of their family. Her greatest love was for her family and she cherished the time she spent with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Bettys family is grateful to the staff of Heritage Health El Paso and OSF Hospice Eastern Region for the excellent care she received during the final weeks of her life.