Betty J. (Spangler) Berg

Betty J. Berg, 89, of Milan, Ill., passed away Tuesday, January 8, 2019, at UnityPoint Health in Rock Island, Illinois, following a brief illness.  Her family was with her as she passed.  Cremation rites have been accorded.  A celebration of life service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, February 9, 2019 at South Park Presbyterian Church in Rock Island, Illinois.  Visitation will begin one hour before the service.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made to Betty's favorite charity, the River Bend Food Bank. 

Betty Jane Spangler was born April 20, 1929, in Grand Haven, Michigan.  She was the daughter of Jack and Henrietta (Vennema) Spangler.  Betty married the love of her life, Donald R. Berg, on October 6, 1950 in Grand Haven, Michigan.  They moved to Rock Island in 1951.

Betty graduated from Butterworth Hospital School of Nursing, in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1950.  Betty inspired friends and relatives with her many talents including gardening, sewing, reading, history, art, financial planning, baking, ballroom dancing and genealogy.  Betty and Don traveled to Europe several times to enjoy historic sites in Switzerland, Italy, Greece and Germany.  She was an accomplished pianist, playing accompaniment for countless events over the years.  For many years she was an avid Boston Celtics fan. 

Betty loved poetry; her favorite poet was Robert Frost.  She had wonderful poetry recitation skills, and she wrote many poems of her own.  She "worked", and also wrote crossword puzzles.  Betty also read and recorded books for the blind.    

Betty was active in PTA, Cub Scouts and the Embroidery Guild of America.  She knitted countless blankets and sweaters. Her needlepoint creations were on display throughout the house.   She was a member of South Park Presbyterian Church, where she participated in the Board of Deacons. She supported countless charities nationwide as well as locally.    

Betty is survived by her husband, Don, sons and daughters-in-law Dave (Glenda) Berg of Geneseo, Illinois; Gary Berg of Rock Island, Illinois; Mike (JoAnn) Berg of Coal Valley, Illinois and Jack (Julie) Berg of Milan, Illinois.  Additional survivors include eight grandchildren and seven great grandchildren, with an eighth grandchild on the way. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother Jack "Bud" Spangler, and a grandson Brian. 

Betty will be dearly missed forever by her loving family and friends. 

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