Betty A. Bedore

Betty A. Bedore, 84, of Manteno, passed away Thursday (Feb. 25, 2016) at Heritage Woods of Manteno. She was born March 12, 1931, in Wilmington, the daughter of Leo Calkins and Catherine Ginter Gilmour. Betty was raised by an aunt and uncle, Hazel and Clifford Hatch, of Manteno. Betty was an accountant and model for Spiegel's catalog before she married Lester Bedore on Oct. 23, 1950. She worked for the U.S. Army while her husband served during the Korean War. She became a stay-at-home mother and active volunteer for Kankakee County Humane Society. She and her husband served 30 years as directors and were instrumental in establishing a shelter for homeless animals. Both avid gardeners, they were members of the Prairieland Daylily Society. They also were members of the First Presbyterian Church of Manteno. Survivors include her husband; a son, Gregory (Rita) Bedore, of Kentucky; daughter, Gina (Dale) Blanchette, of Manteno; three grandsons, Daniel (Jennifer) Blanchette, of Wenona, Alex Blanchette, of Chicago, Brandon Bedore, of Kentucky; a brother, Dale (Ruth) Calkins, of Rhode Island; and several nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death were her parents; aunt and uncle; and brother, James Calkins. Visitation will be from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at Brown Funeral Home in Manteno. An additional time for visitation will be from 10 a.m. Monday until the 11 a.m. funeral services at First Presbyterian Church of Manteno. Interment will follow in Skyline Memorial Park in Monee. Memorials may be made to the Presbyterian Church in Manteno, or the Kankakee County Humane Foundation.