Betty J. Heilman

Betty J. Heilman, 92, of Freeport, passed away peacefully at Winn Prairie during the morning of
March 19, 2023, surrounded by family. She was born May 6, 1930 to Daniel and Vernie
(Janssen) Buss. She attended Shannon High School.

Betty met the love of her life, John W. Heilman, while working at a restaurant in Freeport, IL. He
was a cook and she was a waitress. They were married on December 28, 1947. Together, they
raised 8 children on their little acre in the country. They worked very hard to provide for their
family. Many remember their vegetable gardens as ‘pretty as a picture', donning perfectly
straight rows of beautiful bounty. John passed away of October 12, 2006.

Betty lived a full life as a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and
homemaker. She lived her entire life always putting her family first. She was an amazing cook,
baker and canner in her day. Not only was there a good meal on the table for her family each
day, she was well known throughout the fair circuit, as she would often be awarded "Best of
Show' for her culinary entries. Raising such a large family kept her busy for many years, but
when Betty and John became empty-nesters, you would find them traveling, spending time at
the campground, fishing and watching the Chicago Bulls. In her later years, she enjoyed visits
from her family, keeping up with her grandkids and great-grandkids on Facebook, caring for her
hanging flower baskets, watching her favorite show America's Got Talent and attending her
church small group. She was a member of Crossroads Community Church. She lived in
Stephenson County her entire life.

Those left to cherish her memory include her children, Cynthia (Craig) Huber of Belleview, FL,
Gregory (Jeannie) Heilman of Dallas, TX, Jacalyn (Karl) Stocker of Davis, IL, John (Kim)
Heilman Jr. of Davis, IL, Joel (Pam) Heilman of Sycamore, IL, Julie (Keith) Boyer of Aurora, CO
and Lisa (Scott) Hanson of Friendsville, TN. In addition, Betty was blessed with 16
grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren, whom she loved dearly.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, John W. Heilman Sr., her son Jeffery L.
Heilman and a grandson, Aaron M. Huber.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday March 25, 2023 at Crossroads Community Church with her son-in-law Pastor Keith Boyer officiating. Visitation will be from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm on Friday March 24, 2023 at Burke Tubbs Funeral Home, Freeport. There will also be a visitation from 10:00 am until the beginning of service Saturday at Crossroads. Burial will be at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Freeport, IL.