Betty J Hodge

Princeton - Betty Jean (Warling) Hodge, 91, passed from this life into eternal life early Saturday morning, November 25, 2023 at Liberty Village in Princeton, Illinois. Betty was born in Princeton, Illinois on October 13, 1932 to Howard and Adelaide (Clark) Warling. With the exception of about one year living in California while her husband was stationed with the Army during the Korean War, she lived her whole life in Princeton. Growing up, she attended Douglas Elementary School, Logan Junior High, and Princeton High School. It was during these early years of education that she developed a love for drawing and singing. Betty Jean, while working at the Apollo Theater in the late 1940's, met Raymond H. Hodge who had just moved to Bureau County from southern Illinois. After a couple years of dating, she and Ray decided to get married when he found out that he was going to be stationed with the Army at Camp Cook in California. They were married in Princeton, Illinois on December 26, 1951 at the Covenant Church parsonage on North Church Street. Betty and Ray settled in Princeton after the Korean War and had five children: Michael (Amy) Hodge of Dekalb; Cheryl (William) Bebej of Princeton; Patrick Hodge of Princeton; Thomas Hodge of East Rochester, New York; and Kami (David) Krieger of Princeton. She had thirteen grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren. Ray began a career in the grocery business after the war, Betty served as a stay-at-home mom. Marriage had ended her nurse's training, but she used the skills and knowledge learned in that training while raising her five children and nursing them through various illnesses through the years. Her loud whistle would call the children home at the end of the day. After her children were grown, she spent several years as the lunchtime recess grandma at Douglas School. Over the years, she was also active in the VFW Auxiliary, at the Eagle supermarket serving food samples, and with Church Women United where she served for a time as President. She was a longtime member of the First Christian Church in Princeton and served as a Sunday School teacher and an elder for many years. Her love of drawing served her well at church as she created cardboard cutout animals used for the manger scene that were used many times at the annual Hanging of the Greens service. Her love of singing was used for many solos during church services, local weddings, and funerals. Her love of God and people led her to visit the local nursing homes on numerous occasions to provide songs and gospel messages to those who were unable to attend local churches. Even when she herself became a nursing home resident, she would break into song on occasion to entertain those around her. In addition to her favorite hymns, one might also have heard a rendition of "Who Threw the Overalls in Mrs. Murphy's Chowder" or "Up on the Housetop". Her sense of humor was well known in the family circle as she delighted in teaching her children and grandchildren the silly old-time songs and nursery rhymes that she had learned as a little girl from her mother and grandmother. She and Ray enjoyed many vacation trips and Bradley basketball games with children, grandchildren, relatives, and friends over the years. She was a loving and caring person. Her front porch was a collection of neighbors, family, and friends on late summer afternoons and evenings. At Liberty Village, even when confined to a wheelchair or by dementia, she would still be concerned if someone looked sad or was crying. She would often wheel herself over to them to touch their hand and tell them that she hoped they would feel better soon. She always had a positive attitude and would often compliment her fellow residents and the staff on how she liked their outfits or how nice they looked. She is survived by her younger sister, Marsha (Eddy) Notschaele of Princeton and sister-in-law, Eva Warling, as well as her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nephews, and nieces. Preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Raymond H. Hodge, her parents, sister Patsy Warling, and brother Robert Warling. Memorials may be directed to the Samaritan's Purse (cleft palate surgery) or the Christian Church. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 29, 2023 at Norberg Memorial Funeral Home, Inc. and Monuments from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Funeral services will be the following day, Thursday, November 30, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. at Norberg Memorial Home, Princeton, with the Reverend Michael Hodge officiating. Graveside services to follow at Elm Lawn Cemetery in Princeton, IL. Organist: Cheryl Bebej, accompanied by family. Pallbearers: Darin Croegaert, Ryan Bebej, Nathan Hodge, Matthew Krieger, Joshua Hodge, Ethan Krieger, Timothy Hodge and Parker Evans. Online condolences may be directed to www.norbergfh.com Arrangements by Norberg Memorial Home, Inc. & Monuments.

Betty J Hodge

October 13, 1932 - November 25, 2023