Betty Morrill

Betty J. Blaha Morrill

Age 87 of Wilmington, passed away Tuesday January 1, 2013 at the Joliet Area Community Hospice Home.

Born February 24, 1925 in Chicago, Betty was a daughter of the late Edward J. and Iva Seanor-Leonard. She was raised and educated in Chicago, and on February 16, 1946, married Joseph E. Blaha. Joseph preceded Betty in death in 1962 and she was later married to James W. Morrill on July 1, 1967. James also preceded her in 1986. Betty was a very independent lady, living the last five years by herself on a houseboat with her beloved cat Britches. She enjoyed attending activities at the Coal City Public Library and was passionately involved in the D-Day Memorial Museum in Roanoke, Virginia, in which she was proud to be a part of the dedication. Betty took great pleasure in living on the River and could often be found feeding the ducks and swans. She will be remembered as a huge Chicago Bulls and Joakim Noah fan.

Survivors include her daughter Joy Tarant (Rudy) of Boulder Junction, Wisconsin; son Richard Blaha (Robin) of Wilmington; five grandchildren: Jennifer Voudrie-Kozlowski (Rob) of Chicago, Jacqueline Gervais and James Voudrie (Boo), both of Joliet, Joseph Blaha of Denver, Colorado and Michael Blaha, USAF of Colorado Springs, Colorado; great granddaughter Edith Gervais; nephew James McKinney (Mary) of Elburn, Illinois, and her dear and devoted friends: Charlene and John McDade of Wilmington, as well as beloved cat Britches.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents; first husband Joseph E. Blaha (1962); second husband James W. Morrill (1986) and granddaughter Jessica Voudrie (1984).

Visitation and Video Tribute will be held on Saturday January 5, 2013 from 9:00AM until time of funeral service 11:00AM at Freitag-Reeves & Baskerville Funeral Home, 700 East Kahler Road in Wilmington. Pastor H. Jae Lee from the First United Methodist Church in Wilmington will officiate and burial will follow in Maplewood Cemetery, New Lenox.

Preferred memorials in lieu of flowers may be made as gifts in Betty's memory to The Wilmington Community Band c/o Wilmington Rotary, 120 South Main Street, Wilmington, Illinois 60481.

Friends may sign the online guestbook or send private condolences to the family by logging onto: www.FRBfuneral.com

Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Matthew R. Baskerville, CFSP. (815/476-2181)