Mary Elizabeth “Betty” Flesher, 91, of Galesburg, Illinois, died on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at home surrounded by family.
She was born March 28, 1934, the daughter of Dorothy Smith Bonesteel and Forrest “Pete” Bonesteel in Galesburg. She married Ned Raynor Flesher, her high school sweetheart and the love of her life, on May 15, 1955, in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Betty is survived by four sons, Keith Flesher of Galesburg, Mark (and Linnea) Flesher of Merrillville, Indiana, Scott Flesher of Galesburg, Brett (and Joani) Flesher of Cameron, Illinois; one brother, Dean Bonesteel of Hayden, Idaho; nine grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; three sisters; and her husband, Ned, on May 17, 2021.
She was a graduate of Galesburg High School, class of 1952, and attended Bradley University. Betty worked at The Bank of Galesburg from 1952 to 1955 and worked with her husband at Flesher House of Music in Galesburg from 1962 to 1996.
Betty and Ned loved to travel, seeing all 50 United States and experiencing travel to 67 different countries around the world, many of them more than once.
Cremation will be accorded and she will be laid to rest by her husband at Rock Island Arsenal Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to Watson Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory, Galesburg. Memorials may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.watsonthomas.com.
