Elizabeth Anna "Betty" Culkin, 87, of Bloomington, formerly of Forrest and Lake Bloomington, died at 4:16 pm, Friday, August 30, 2013 at her home.
Her funeral will be at 11:00 am, Wednesday (9-4-13) at St. Patrick Church of Merna, Bloomington with Monsignor Gerald T. Ward officiating. A graveside service will be at 2:30 pm, Wednesday in Forrest Cemetery, Forrest. Visitation will be from 4:00-7:00 pm, Tuesday (9-3-13) at Carmody-Flynn Williamsburg Funeral Home, Bloomington and from 10:30-11:00 am, Wednesday at the church.
Memorials may be made to the Apostolic Christian Home For the Handicapped, 2125 Veterans Rd., Morton, Il 61550.
Elizabeth was born on July 29, 1926 in Strawn, Illinois, the daughter of Carl Jacob and Lydia Veronica Baer Aberle. She married Clarence E. Culkin on June 26, 1948 in Peoria. He survives.
Also surviving are two daughters, Diane (John) Hoke, Carbondale and Teresa (Steve) Flury, Wilmington, NC; one son, Thomas (Mary Lou) Culkin, Fairbury; ten grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren; two brothers, Reuben "Pete" (Kathleen) Aberle, Florida and Harold "Hank" Aberle, Chatsworth; three sisters, Ann (Roy) Maurer and Rose Huette, both of Bloomington and Lois (George) Fisher, California. She is also survived by one brother-in-law, James Byrd, Eureka; one sister-in-law Judy Aberle, Arizona; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by one son, Michael E. Culkin; three brothers, Elmer, William and Ezra Aberle and one sister, Leota Byrd.
During WWII, Elizabeth served as a "Rosie the Riveter" and worked for Lockheed Martin in Arizona and California. She graduated from the St. Francis School of Nursing in Peoria and while at school, she became an Army Cadet Nurse. Elizabeth practiced nursing for several years and later became a private duty nurse for many years. She worked briefly at Fairbury Hospital. In the early 1960's, Elizabeth was an advocate and instrumental in getting schooling established for children with mental challenges in Livingston County. She also assisted her husband, Clarence in the ambulance and funeral service industry at Culkin Funeral Homes in Forrest and Chatsworth.
Later in life, Elizabeth was an artist and enjoyed painting. She did oil painting and china painting, including china dolls. She was a member of St. Patrick Church of Merna, Bloomington.
Elizabeth's joy in life were her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She touched many lives and will be greatly missed.
To express condolences online, please visit www.carmodyflynn.com
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