Mrs. Betty J. Messmore, 98, of Galesburg, Illinois, passed away at 3:40 p.m. Sunday, April 5, 2026, at her son’s home, surrounded by her loving family.
Betty was born May 7, 1927, in Abingdon, Illinois, the daughter of Harold L. and Ethel (Cook) Morgan. She married Warren E. Messmore on August 8, 1951, in London Mills, Illinois. He preceded her in death on December 16, 2017, after 66 years of marriage.
She is survived by her son, Mark (and Lynndel) Messmore of Galesburg; and one grandson, Nathan (and Tori) Messmore of Brimfield, Illinois. She was preceded in death by her parents.
Betty attended London Mills High School, graduating in 1945. At the age of 18, she began her teaching career in a country school, where she taught 17 students. She later continued her education at Western Illinois University in Macomb, earning her bachelor’s degree in 1971. Betty dedicated her life to education, teaching in both Knox and Warren Counties, including at ROWVA as a second-grade teacher, as well as at Bateman and Lincoln Elementary Schools in Galesburg. She retired in 1985 after 43 years of teaching.
She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Galesburg, the Illinois Retired Teachers Association, and Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority.
Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday, April 9, 2026, at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services, Galesburg Chapel. A graveside service will follow at 11:30 a.m. Thursday at Oak Lawn Memorial Gardens, Galesburg, with Chaplain Jordan Knight officiating. Memorials may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be shared at www.h-p-w.com.
