Obituaries
The memorial service for Betty Marie Wenger will be held Saturday, May 1st, at First Baptist Church, 411 W. Lake Street, Peoria, 61614. The family will greet visitors in the Fellowship Hall from 9:30 to 11:30am and the service will follow in the Sanctuary, officiated by son-in-law Dan Learned, Executive Director of Youth For Christ, Peoria.
Betty passed away on Sunday, January 3rd at her home in Peoria with family members present. Like so many others, her Celebration of Life had to be scheduled “at a later date” due to Covid 19. Pandemic-related precautions will be in place, and guests are asked to wear masks. Cremation has been accorded, and burial of ashes will be private.
The family is grateful for all the kind and generous cards and notes already received. Memorial contributions may still be made to First Baptist Church at the address above. Friends and family may leave condolences and sign the online guest book at www.wrightandsalmon.com
Peoria-Betty Marie Wenger, 91, of Peoria, passed away at 9:50 a.m. on Sunday, January 3, 2021 at her home, with family members present. She was born May 24, 1929, in Peoria to William C. and Nellie May (Reynolds) Fischer.
Her 65-year marriage to O. William “Bill” Wenger began on June 10, 1951 at the old First Baptist Church in downtown Peoria. He preceded her in death in 2016. She was also preceded in death by her brother Eugene and her sister Ruth.
Surviving are her children, Lee (Denise Adams) Wenger, Dick (Rosie) Wenger, Kitty Benson, Ken (Sue) Wenger, and Carol (Dan) Learned; ten grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
Betty graduated from Woodruff High School in 1947, followed by employment with WEEK- Radio, Byerly Music, Illinois Bell Telephone, and at home raising five children.
Betty enjoyed a life-long love of music and was well known for her beautiful alto singing voice. She spent some of her early adult years performing with big bands in the area, having several of her recordings played on local radio. She was devoted to her family and her many close friends from church where she also sang in the choir for over 50 years.
Cremation Rites have been accorded, with burial of Bill’s and Betty’s ashes in the Spring at Camp Butler National Cemetery in honor of Bill’s military service in Korea. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church, 411 W. Lake Street, Peoria, IL 61614.
Friends and family may leave condolences and sign online guest book at www.wrightandsalmon.com.
Previous Events
Visitation
1
May
411 W Lake Ave
Peoria, IL 61614
Memorial Service
1
May
411 W Lake Ave
Peoria, IL 61614