Betty Ruth (White) Newlin

Betty Ruth (White) Newlin, 87, of Palestine, IL, passed away on December 31, 2022, at Robinson Rehab & Nursing. She was born on February 19, 1935, in Melrose Township, Clark County, IL, the daughter of Carl & Ruth (Baker) White, both of whom preceded her in death. She married Ira T. Newlin on December 21, 1957, and he preceded her in death on April 14, 2016. She was also preceded in death by her sisters, Beverly Fritchie, Bernetta Williamson, and Blanche McDaniel, and her brother, Bruce White.

She is survived by her children & their spouses, Marsha & Brian Rich (Robinson, IL), Melinda & Mike Cofer (Lake Hamilton, FL), Michael Newlin (Davenport, FL), and Mark & Stacey Newlin (Palestine, IL); by her grandchildren & their spouses, Shane & Jessica Byrley (Winter Haven, FL), Robert Simms (Palestine, IL), Ruth Ann & Russell Meskimen (Robinson, IL), Kasey & Emily Newlin (Greenup, IL), Brandon & Jessica Cofer (Sullivan, IN), Blake Newlin (St Louis, Mo), Megahn Newlin (Evansville, IN), Evan Newlin (Palestine, IL), Elijah Rich (Elizabeth) (Robinson, IL), and Shane & Brigitte Rich (Plant City, FL); by her great-grandchildren, Kendall, Aliyanna, Alexander, Aubrey, Kinley, Leah, Ava, Parker, Bry, Analeigh, Adalyn, Madelyn, and Kelsey; as well as several nieces and nephews.

She grew up in Palestine and was a 1953 graduate of Palestine High School. She began her career as a secretary for Palestine Grade School, but after two years, she stepped away to start her family. Though she worked for the Farm Bureau Office and Ellis Milling for a time, she eventually returned to the grade school in 1973, where she would stay until retiring in 1997. It was evident she loved her job and cherished the kids that roamed those halls.

Time at home often found Betty playing card games like Liverpool Rummy, Pinochle, and Poker. So deep was her appreciation for these games that she and her friends gathered regularly as "The Card Club", many of whom would gather monthly to play Yahtzee as well. An avid reader, she spent countless hours poring over the pages of romance novels, that is, when she wasn't crocheting a blanket for a loved one. She proved time and again that her heart belonged to her family. In short, she was their rock; the glue that held them all together. Betty was a devoted wife, a loving mother, and a doting grandma and great-grandma, and she will long be remembered for pouring so much of herself into each of these roles. The love she so selflessly and abundantly gave bore witness to the deep well of faith out of which she lived. A longtime and active member of Outer West Market Church of Christ, Betty spent many a Wednesday evening teaching kids about Jesus, who met her Saturday morning with arms wide open to welcome her home.

A time of visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 4, 2022, at the Goodwine Funeral Home in Palestine. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home, with Pastor Tim Watson officiating. Burial will be in the Oak Grove Cemetery. In honor of her years of involvement with the organization, memorial contributions may be made to the "Palestine Booster Club", with envelopes available at the funeral home.