Betty Jane Camper, 88, of East Galesburg, Illinois, died peacefully at 3:26 a.m. on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at Allure of Lake Storey, Galesburg, Illinois.
Betty was born September 6, 1937, in Wheaton, Minnesota, the daughter of Arthur G. and Alvera M. (Klindworth) Whaley. Betty graduated from Yates City High School in 1955 and later married Thomas Edward Camper on June 1, 1957, at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, Galesburg.
Betty is survived by her husband of 68 years, Thomas Sr., of East Galesburg; two sons, Bill (Terry) Camper and Thomas Camper Jr., both of Galesburg; one daughter, Ginny Clay of Knoxville, Illinois; 11 grandchildren: Molly, William, Emily, Samuel, Jack, Rodney, Taylor, Lacey, Brad, Seth, and Lexy; and 13 great grandchildren. Betty is also survived by two sisters, Mary (Russell) Sexton of Galesburg and Phyllis Whaley Fields of Elkhart, Indiana. Along with her parents, Betty was preceded in death by a daughter, Denise Motz; a grandson, T.J. Motz; and a sister, Suzanne Whaley.
She worked as a secretary for Galesburg High School for several years. Betty then became a legal secretary and worked for Bill Butts Law Office for about 3 years and later the law firm Peel, Henning, Mathers, Bell, and McKee for about 12 years. She was also an avid mental health advocate.
Betty was a devout Catholic and longtime member of Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Galesburg. She enjoyed watching and spending time with her grandkids. Her and Thomas loved vacationing together. She liked fishing and was a strong sports fanatic whether it was football, baseball, or girls’ basketball. Betty was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, and friend who will be deeply missed.
Private family services will be held with cremation following. Arrangements have been entrusted to Watson Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory, Galesburg. Memorial contributions may be made to Bridgeway, 2323 Windish Drive, Galesburg, IL 61401. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.watsonthomas.com.
