THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 2008
Betty Stone: 'A Wonderful Person'
By DENISE FLEISCHER
Lifestyle Editor
Betty Stone of Des Plaines was quite a lady. Loved by many. Devoted to her son, Craig, her neighbor's children and her community, she passed away on Sunday, Mar. 16 in Park Ridge.
"She was a wonderful person," said Judy Riordan, public relations representative of the Des Plaines Garden Club. "She was the head of our annual Arbor Day Tree ceremony at North School in Des Plaines. She was in charge of our Memorial Day celebration at Lake Opeka. She was the civic and conservation chairman for the last five years and she served as president from 1992-1995."
In 1978, Stone received a certificate of appreciation from Clearbrook Center for her "outstanding volunteer service on behalf of the developmentally disabled infants, children, adults and their families served by the center." She also contributed to Easter Seals' fundraisers.
In 2000, she was one of the nominees for the first Socrates Rand Spirit of Des Plaines awards and the Des Plaines Community Senior Center presented her with a certificate of appreciation for her valuable volunteer contributions. Stone was a Senior Super Star Nominee for the Des Plaines Super Star Volunteer Awards in 2007. Her support was recognized during the Boys Town 2008 Annual Appeal.
"My family moved in next door to Betty in 1987 and we became fast friends," said Laura Lunkes. "I have four children and Betty and her husband, Dale, were like grandparents to them. They treated my children like their own. Grandma Betty had been very involved in their lives and activities. She had more energy than me most of the time.
She had been a regular helper in homework, especially as it became more detailed in middle school and high school. She rarely missed a graduation or dance recital. We love her and will miss her."
A funeral service for Stone (nee Ross), 87, will be held Thursday, Mar. 20 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Des Plaines. Visitation will be held today (Wednesday), Mar. 19, from 3 to 8 p.m. at G. L. Hills Funeral Home, Des Plaines. She will lie in state on Thursday, from noon until the time of the funeral service at 1 p.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 855 Lee St., Des Plaines. Entombment at Memory Gardens Cemetery, Arlington Hts.
Mrs. Stone was born Aug. 12, 1920 in Buffalo, New York. She was a member of the Kiwianis Club, Des Plaines Garden Club, Des Plaines Art Guild, Des Plaines Senior Center and Des Plaines Art Council. She was also a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Des Plaines.
She is survived by her son, Craig, friends Laura and Jim Lunkes and their children Regina, Lisa, Jimmy and Rachel.