Betty Lou Southard, 85 of Taylorville passed away at 4:30 PM on Wednesday, March 9, 2016 at Taylorville Care Center.

She was born on September 10, 1930 at Warsaw, Illinois the daughter of Virgil and Helen Brownlee. She married William Southard on December 15, 1968 at Springfield. She was preceded in death by her parents, 1 grandson and a brother, Junior Brownlee.

Betty was a homemaker and kept the books for their family business, Southard Tree Service. She loved her grandchildren and wildlife was her joy in life.

Survivors: Husband, William “Bill” Southard of Taylorville, IL; Son, Mike (Tammy) Walker of Taylorville, IL; Daughters, Lynda (Dan) Peddycourt of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Pat (Jeff) Grote of Shelbyville, IL, Janet (Ron) Walker of Keokuk, Iowa and Carolyn (Brett) Ruch of New London, WI; 10 Grandchildren; 11 Great Grandchildren; 1 Great Great Grandchild.

Private family funeral services will be held on Friday at Shafer-Perfetti Funeral Home in Taylorville with Jeff Grote officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery in Taylorville.

Condolences to her family may be left at www.perfettifuneralhome.com

Shafer-Perfetti Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Taylorville is in charge of arrangements.