By Jim Meridith
Posted: Updated:
15 Comments
  • Visitation

    Saturday, June 5, 2021

    9:00 to 11:00am

    Kassly-Meridith Funeral Home, Collinsville, IL.

    Tropical attire is encouraged!

     

  • Service

    Saturday, June 5, 2021

    11:00am

    Kassly-Meridith Funeral Home, Collinsville, IL.

  • Full Obituary

    Elizabeth Diana Dickerson, also known as Betty, age 75, passed away at her home in Highland, IL on May 30, 2021.

    She was born July 28, 1945 in East St. Louis, IL to John and Alice (Fernandez) Etchills.

    Betty was the youngest of two children. She attended Collinsville High School and graduated in 1963. Betty married Donald R. Dickerson of Collinsville, IL in December of 1964. They lived in Collinsville and Marine before settling in their dream homestead in rural St. Jacob where they lived for 41 years. Those years were filled with hard work and many good times raising two daughters, playing with two grandsons and caring for numerous critters including dogs, cats, chickens, sheep, cows, pigs, goats, rabbits, hamsters and her favorite animal of all were her horses.

    Betty worked at a number of places before ending her work career at Basler Electric in Highland, IL with close to 30 years of service. Betty enjoyed working and enjoyed her friends at work even more. She was fun and funny and was always up for a prank. She always had a story to share about something funny that happened at work. Betty enjoyed fishing, taking walks, kayaking, swimming, camping, reading anything she could get her hands on, browsing in thrift stores, watching her grandsons play any and all sports, having lunch with her friends, true crime shows and the occasional afternoon nap. She was crafty and could draw anything she looked at, using those talents to immortalize you in a cartoon if she found out about a mishap! Her favorite place was Florida; she called Key West her happy place. She enjoyed the sun and the beach and listening to great music at dive bars. She was able to enjoy many trips to Florida with her family and friends over the past 30 years.  Betty will be remembered as an easy going person who got along with everyone and who was always up for fun.

    She is survived by her beloved dog Toto; two daughters, Karla Bailer, Cape Canaveral, FL and Tracy (Darren) O’Dell, St Jacob, IL; grandsons, Hunter and Jacob O’Dell both of St. Jacob, IL; brother-in-law, Lawrence Dickerson, Collinsville, IL; brother-in-law, Leonard (Bernice) Dickerson, Collinsville, IL; sister-in-law, Brenda Black, Collinsville, IL; nephews, Mike Etchills , Christopher Black, James H. Taylor; nieces, Peggy Kiemel, Laura (Gary) Steward, Susan Steward , Lisa (John) Rosen, Faye Ann Taveggia, Marsha Taveggia, Leni (Don) Works; numerous cousins, great nieces and great nephews.

    She was preceded in death by her parents; husband of almost 56 years, Donald Dickerson; brother, Robert Etchills; sisters-in-law, Betty Etchills,  Thelda Taveggia, Faye Palecek;  nephew, Michael Dickerson; niece, Jeannie Taveggia.

    Memorials can be made in Betty’s honor to Southern Illinois Pointer and Animal Rescue, 10427 Ellis Road, St. Jacob, IL 62281; and/or by supporting your local watering hole and having a drink or three in her name.

    She always said. "One beer gives me a headache, two makes me tired and three gets the party started!”.

    Tropical attire is encouraged!

    Visitation: Saturday, June 5, 2021, 9:00 to 11:00am at Kassly-Meridith Funeral Home, Collinsville, IL.

    Service: Saturday, June 5, 2021, 11:00am, Kassly-Meridith Funeral Home, Collinsville, IL.

    Clergy: Pastor Ron Habermehl

    Kassly-Meridith Funeral Home, Collinsville, IL.

Condolences are reviewed and published within 24 hours.

15 Condolences
 
  1. K. Sealander / June 2, 2021 at 10:18 am

    Betty will be dearly missed. My heart and thoughts are with her family.

  2. Reagan Wendler / June 2, 2021 at 10:39 am

    Can never remember her being in a bad mood , even if she was upset about something she always turned it around into a laugh or a smile !!

  3. Julie Taylor / June 2, 2021 at 10:58 am

    I will miss Betty ❤. She was so kind to me. When my cat Jake died, she sent me this adorable stuffed cat to cheer me up. We had fun dancing on on Karla’s ‘partio’ when she came to visit in Fl. She was young at heart & fun to be with. I am honored to have met such a wonderful woman. Hugs to her family & friends. God Speed friend ❤🐕🌅🌻🍹🍺…I will toast to all your favorite things ⛱ love Julie

  4. Don Garcia / June 2, 2021 at 11:01 am

    “Betty” was the youngest grandchild of Perfecta Menendez Fernandez [https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/92488019/perfecta-fernandez ].

    She was deeply loved by her mother’s large family and those that got to know her appreciated her humor and friendship.

    She will be sorely missed by her many friends. Rest in Peace.

  5. Susan Steward / June 2, 2021 at 11:31 am

    Aunt Betty was the best aunt ever. She was one in a million and will be greatly missed. No one will be able to hold a candle to her because she was the greatest. We enjoyed our trips to Branson with her. I am very fortunate to have her as my aunt. I am very proud to call her Aunt Betty and she will never be forgotten. ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

  6. Scott and Kathy Staples / June 2, 2021 at 12:00 pm

    When you lose someone so special here on earth, the heavens receive a bright and shining star which guides you in every En-devour in your life…….look above you and she is there.

  7. Rhonda Raines / June 2, 2021 at 12:02 pm

    I will miss Betty Love to all the family

  8. Elizabeth Loving / June 2, 2021 at 2:18 pm

    I met Betty several times on her visits to Florida to see her daughter Karla. I always said “Betty is a Hoot”. Always happy. Always having fun. Such a positive influence on all around her.

    My thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends. I will lovingly have those three toasts to Betty. I know she’ll be in heaven appreciating the love and thoughts from everyone.

  9. Evelyn Malter / June 2, 2021 at 3:43 pm

    I’ve known Betty my entire life and she will forever remain in my heart and memories.

  10. Sheila Howard / June 2, 2021 at 4:48 pm

    So sorry to hear this I worked with Betty at Baslers and she was always a kind and funny lady! She will truly be missed by so many loved ones. Until we meet again…..
    Prayers for the family may you rest in peace dear friend.

  11. Stacey Fiala / June 2, 2021 at 5:29 pm

    So sorry for your loss Tracy. Living thoughts for you and your family

  12. Louise and Dan Hallauer / June 2, 2021 at 8:23 pm

    Betty was a wonderful, unique character who loved life to fullest. Always so Young at heart and easy-going- an absolute pleasure to be around. – fond memories will always live on in my heart.❤️

  13. Annie / June 5, 2021 at 2:31 pm

    Thank you Betty, for some of the most precious memories of love, laughter and sometime tears. You treated me like family always .As you did with all of us. You will be sorely missed, but your story will live on, starting with the first beer. Cheers to you. I love you..

  14. Norma Jean Pearson / July 12, 2021 at 7:56 pm

    Betty was my cousin and friend. I miss her SO much. Such a fun loving, caring, special lady. ❤️

  15. John Silvey / August 26, 2021 at 3:27 pm

    Betty was my first wife and even though things didn’t work out being young like that I always loved her.

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