Betty Jean Bledsaw

Betty Jean Bledsaw, age 86, passed away on January 25, 2025, at Tremont Ridge in Hillsboro, Illinois, surrounded by her family.

A Memorial Service for Betty will be held on February 1, 2025, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Hillsboro beginning at 11:00 AM. A visitation will be held an hour prior starting at 10:00 AM until the time of service. Rev. Stefan Munker will officiate.

Betty was born on November 12, 1938, in Hillsboro, Illinois to her parents Ray Logan and Phyllis (Matthews) Bledsaw. She attended Schram City Grade School from 1944 to 1952 and Hillsboro High School from 1952 to 1956. She graduated from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale in 1960 with a bachelor's degree in education. In 1965 Betty attended the NDEA Science Institute at Western Illinois University in Macomb. Then in 1978 she earned her master's degree in education at Southern Illinois University of Edwardsville. She was a member of the Illinois Retired Teachers' Association, the Montgomery County Retired Teachers' Association, Illinois Education Association, National Education Association, the Phi Chapter of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, Edwardsville Education Association and the Madison County Historical Museum in Edwardsville. She headed class reunions for Schram City School and Hillsboro High School, the Vacation Bible School and Ladles of Love programs at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Hillsboro, she also provided private tutoring for over 20 students free of charge and she volunteered for the TEAL and GED programs at Lincoln Land Community College. Ms. Bledsaw taught grades one, four and five at Glen Carbon School from 1960 to 1993.

Betty is survived by her brother Ray Allen (Sharon) Bledsaw and sister Alice McDice, both of Hillsboro, nephews Kenny (Teresa) McDice and Kevin (Tina) McDice, a niece Heidi (Mike) Bullock, several great nieces and nephews, and a few great-great nephews.

Besides her parents, Betty is preceded in death by her nephew Ryan Bledsaw and brother-in-law Connie McDice.

Memorials in Betty’s honor may be directed towards Hillsboro St. Paul’s Lutheran Church – Ladles of Love program, the Hillsboro Education Foundation, or the Hillsboro Sports Association.

Condolences may be left online at www.houghfuneralhome.com.

Hough & Sons Funeral Home in Hillsboro is in charge of arrangements.