Elizabeth McCorkle
Elizabeth Grace “Bette” McCorkle, age 83, of Bradley, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, on Wednesday, June 21, 2017, at Miller Healthcare Center in Kankakee.
Visitation will be held 8:30 a.m.-9:45 a.m. on Saturday, June 24, 2017, at Clancy-Gernon Funeral Home in Bourbonnais. The funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, June 24, 2017, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Bradley. Interment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery in Danville at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday.
She was born October 26, 1933 in Belgium, Illinois the daughter of Hiram C. & Kathleen A. Kelly Craft.
She married Dean McCorkle on January 8, 1955 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Westville, IL. He preceded her in death on July 2, 2012.
Bette was a member of the first graduating class that spent all four years at Schlarman High School in Danville. She attended St. Mary College in Notre Dame, IN on a scholarship.
During the 1950’s, she worked as an operator for Bell Telephone and also worked as a Girl Friday at Manco. Later, Bette worked for District 111, where she was an instructor for students with special needs.
She enjoyed swimming, art, gardening, crossword puzzles, and reading the Wall Street Journal. Bette was a fan of PBS mysteries and liked listening to classical music. She enjoyed playing cards with her special friends; the card club continues to meet.
She was a parishioner of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Bradley. Above all else, she was dedicated to her family.
Surviving are two daughters and sons-in-law, Mary & Mike Marovich of Naperville, Jeanette & Chris Daum of Chebanse; three brothers and two sisters-in-law, James Craft of Hot Springs, AR, Donald & Darinka Craft of Urbana, and Charles & Thelma Jean Craft of Urbana; lifetime friend and cousin, Eleanor Plahn of Terre Haute, IN; seven grandchildren, Sean Marovich, Collin Marovich, Marshall Marovich, Joseph Marovich, Ronald Winkel Jr., Catherine (Billy) Vigliotti, and Ryan (Amanda) Winkel; four great-grandchildren, Caitlin, Lauren, Owen, and Logan; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husband, she is also preceded in death by her parents; one son, Michael Dean McCorkle; one daughter, Cynthia McCorkle; one sister, Mary Eileen Everest; and one brother, Chester Craft.
Bette’s family would like to thank everyone who cared for her during her final days, including, Dr. Steven Hermes & staff, Butterfield Court Memory Care Facility, the staff at Miller Hospice Unit, and Hospice of Kankakee Valley. We are forever grateful.
Memorials may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church
or Good Shepherd Manor .
