IN LOVING MEMORY OF Betty J. Leach

Betty J.

Leach

Apr 8, 1929 — May 30, 2026

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Betty J. Leach's Obituary

Betty Leach was born in Pope County, IL to Lucy Mae & William J Leach on April 8, 1929. She, with her parents and 4 older siblings (William, Otis, Helen and Juanita), moved to Peoria, IL, around the age of 2 years old. She attended Blaine Sumner Grade School and Manual High School.

With her being born at home, she did not have a birth certificate issued by the State of Illinois until 1945, when she entered the work force in Peoria. She needed a Social Security number to get a job! Betty worked at CILCO (Central Illinois Light Company) virtually her entire working career, retiring in 1991 with over 30+ years service.

Betty and her family attended the South Side Mission in Peoria. She accepted Christ as her Savior as young teen. She and a sister were actively involved with the local chapter of Youth For Christ ministry for years when it was located in Roosevelt Junior High in the mid 1940s – 1950s. YFC played an early role in shaping Betty's Christian walk for the Lord.

While she never married, Betty lived her life serving others. She was actively involved in teaching/leading the High School/Young Adults Sunday School Department at the Mission in Peoria for several years, last serving in 1992. She also served on their Board. In addition, she was actively involved with the local Chapter of Christian Women's Club and Board (Peoria Women's Connection) for several years also serving on their Board.

Once retired from CILCO, she volunteered for the next 33 years at Proctor Community Hospital. She clocked in excess of 9,000 volunteered hours before retiring (again) at the end of 2024, at the age of 95 years old. In 1992, Betty began attending Grace Presbyterian Church in Peoria. She was actively involved with Monday Morning Prayer Group, Tuesday Morning Bible Study last attending on May 18th /19th . She was also involved with VBS (Vacation Bible School) 6th Grade Memory Verse Table for many years.

Her secret in staying an active servant to others, was that she was able to drive her car until mid-2025! She drove for pushing 80 years!!!

She lived her younger years with her parents until they passed. While Betty never married, she was a mother to all the nieces/nephews of her 4 siblings' children, grandchildren +2 additional generations. Please know, each of you nieces/nephews and your families have been prayed for on a daily basis. You have been blessed beyond what you will ever know. Her prayers included that each would come to accept Christ as your Savior and live a Godly life:

ADMIT…that you need a Savior and are willing to turn from your sins. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."—Romans 3:23

BELIEVE…that Christ died and rose again so that you could be saved. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."—John 3:16

CONFESS…that Jesus Christ is your Lord and Savior. "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth confessesand is saved."—Romans 10:9–10

Please access How Great Thou Art, by Carrie Underword (Official Lyric Video) and listen to the lyrics:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bnSX5W57yg

"When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation

And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart

Then I shall bow, in humble adoration

And then proclaim: "My God, how great Thou art!"

Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee

How great Thou art, how great Thou art"

In closing, please know Betty was as much a sinner as any one of us, who was saved by God's grace given to us through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ.

Please access a song that describes her efforts in her Christian walk with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsAZ8Wq4D3g

"For my waking breath for my daily bread