Betty Peddicord

Mary E. "Betty" Peddicord, 97, of Ottawa, died Friday, December 16, 2011 at Ottawa Regional Hospital and Healthcare Center. Mass of Christian Burial for Betty will be 10:00 a.m. Monday, December 19, 2011 at St. Patrick's Church in Ottawa with the Rev. Joseph Donton officiating. Visitation will be 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. Sunday, December 18, 2011 at Ottawa Funeral Home with prayers at 2:00 with the Catholic Daughters of America. Burial will be in St. Columba Cemetery. Betty was born November 29, 1914, in Wallace Township, Illinois to Joseph and Julia (Butler) Hughes. She married Kenneth C. Peddicord on December 6, 1938. He preceded her in death March 6, 1993. Betty attended St. Xavier Academy and Brown's Business College. She worked for LaSalle County Farm Bureau and at International Harvester until her retirement. She was a member of St. Patrick's Church, the Catholic Daughters of Americas, a former board member of both Marquette High School and Ottawa Regional Hospital, and was the founding president of Milton Pope Community Club. Betty and her husband farmed in Miller Township and were former members of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Marseilles. She volunteered at Pleasant View Luther Home for 30 years. She was an avid reader and bridge player. She was an ardent supporter of Catholic education and Marquette High School. She is survived by two daughters, Anne Laubscher of Chicago and Mary Helen (Bill) Thomas of Muskego, WI; two sons, Lee (Trish) Peddicord of College Station, TX and Chuck (Cathy) Peddicord of Keystone, IA; twelve grandchildren, Joseph (Nelly) Peddicord, Clare Peddicord (Mike) Schultz, Katie Laubscher (Mike) Marron, Joanna Laubscher, Cristine Peddicord (Mike) Bunting, Daniel (Erin) Peddicord, Michael (Kari) Peddicord, Patrick (Ericka) Peddicord, Eric (Jamie) Thomas, David (Elizabeth) Thomas, Steven Thomas, and Edward Thomas; thirteen great grandchildren; two sisters, Rita Bass of Florida and Margy Matthews of Chicago; and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband; four brothers; Joe, Jack, Bill and Leo Hughes, and three sisters, Paula Block, Patricia McGrath and Helen Thompson. Pallbearers will be her grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Marquette High School Betty Hughes Peddicord Scholarship Fund or Donors Choice.