Betty Marie "Gussie" Gustafson

Betty Marie "Gussie" Gustafson

Female 1931 - 2020  (88 years)

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  • Name Betty Marie "Gussie" Gustafson 
    Birth 13 Aug 1931  Vermilion County, IL Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Female 
    Death 8 Jan 2020  Danville, Vermilion, IL Find all individuals with events at this location 
    • Betty Marie Slayton, 88, of Danville, passed away peacefully, with her daughter by her side at 1:11 AM on Wednesday, January 8, 2020 in Garden Court at Hawthorne Inn of Danville.

      Betty was born August 13, 1931 to Archie and Ruby (Drollinger) Gustafson. One of five children, she grew up with her three brothers, Archie Jr., Alvin, and Bob, and her beloved sister Bonnie.

      Betty graduated from Bismarck High School where she was nicknamed "Gussie, a cheery little dearie", and upon graduation, went to work for the telephone company. Betty soon fell head over heels for a handsome Ted Slayton, a decorated Army veteran, who quickly became enchanted with the dark-haired beauty. Following their marriage, they started their family with a son, Ted Jr., and then came two daughters, Kathy and Susan.

      Ted and Betty raised their 3 children on Virginia Street back in the good old days, and greatly enjoyed the company of many friends, which included Glenn and Dorothy Jones and their two daughters, Janet and Cindy. There were many lively card games, barbecues, and fun fireworks on the Fourth of July. Betty and Dorothy remained bosom buddies until Dorothy's recent passing on Christmas day.

      Blessed with the gift to gab, Betty was a natural, working at the Doctor's Exchange switchboard and later reception/switchboard/admitting at Lakeview Memorial Hospital and Provena USMC. In her many years there, lots of good friends and memories were made, and she retired in 1996.

      Betty loved traveling, especially to California to visit her sister Bonnie and daughter Kathy. She loved the ocean and going with her daughter Kathy to watch her son-in-law, Charlie, play in the Bob Hope Classic (and even getting a hug from Arnold Palmer, which thrilled her!) She was happy when her sister Bonnie said goodbye to California and Arizona and came back to Danville to live. Betty loved listening to music, enjoyed playing cards with friends, and marveled at the beauty of nature. Betty attended Pleasant Grove Bible Chapel.

      There is no doubt that Betty's quality of life was better by 100% because of the love, care, and kindness of her daughter, Susan. No one could have had more devotion and concern for every aspect of Betty's care and keeping. The family will be forever grateful for her passion and devotion to Betty for the past 20 years, since her husband, Ted's passing.

      Betty with a heart of gold and compassion for all...loved to laugh, had an abundance of friends, and enjoyed life to the fullest. Her greatest love was for her family and her family loves her immensely.

      Betty was preceded in death by her parents, husband Ted Sr., infant son Michael Todd, son Ted Jr., and brothers Archie Jr., Alvin, and Bob Gustafson

      Betty will be missed dearly by daughter Susan (Mark) Bounds of Danville, daughter Kathy (Charlie) Coulter of La Quinta, CA, sister Bonnie Ohlrich (Jim Knight) of Danville, Becky Engel (Ted Jr.) of Danville, grandson Todd Slayton of Danville, and nieces and nephews.

      Betty's family especially would like to extend their gratitude to all of the Garden Court staff at Hawthorne Inn for their care and comfort to Betty, which they affectionately referred to as "Betty Marie, sweet as can be".

      Betty's life will be celebrated every day by her family, from all the memories and all of the love that she exuded.

      Betty will be laid to rest alongside her husband, Ted, at Danville National Cemetery, following a private committal service. Memorials may be made in her memory to Pleasant Grove Bible Chapel, 3279 E. Main St., Danville, IL 61834. Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Danville 3940 North Vermilion St. Danville IL, 61834 assisted the family with arrangements. Please join Betty's family in sharing photos and memories on her tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com
    Burial Danville, Vermilion, IL Find all individuals with events at this location 
    • Betty Marie ?Gussie? Gustafson Slayton
      BIRTH 13 Aug 1931
      Vermilion County, Illinois, USA
      DEATH 8 Jan 2020 (aged 88)
      Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois, USA
      BURIAL
      Danville National Cemetery
      Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois, USA
      PLOT Section 20 Site 760

      Betty Marie Slayton
      in the U.S., Find a Grave Index, 1600s-Current
      Name: Betty Marie Slayton
      Gender: F (Female)
      Birth Date: 13 Aug 1931
      Death Date: 8 Jan 2020
      Death Place: Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois, United States of America
      Cemetery: Danville National Cemetery
      Burial or Cremation Place: Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois, United States of America
      Has Bio?: Y
      Father:
      Archie William Gustafson
      Mother:
      Ruby Florence Gustafson
      Spouse:
      Theodore Newton Slayton
      Children:
      Michael Todd Slayton
      Theodore Newton Slayton
      URL:
      https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/206123269/betty-marie-slayton
    Person ID I29487  Drollinger Genealogy
    Last Modified 16 Feb 2021 

    Father Archie William Gustafson, Sr.,   b. 4 Oct 1888, Attica, Fountain, IN Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 18 Jan 1980, Danville, Vermilion, IL Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 91 years) 
    Mother Ruby Florence Drollinger,   b. 24 Feb 1899, Perrysville, Vermillion, IN Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 1967, Danville, Vermilion, IL Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 67 years) 
    Family ID F10541  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family CPL Theodore Newton "Ted" Slayton, Jr.,   b. 13 Sep 1946, Danville, Vermilion, IL Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 15 Dec 2017, Danville, Vermilion, IL Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 71 years) 
    Children 
    +1. Theodore "Ted" N. Slayton, Jr.,   b. 13 Sep 1946, Danville, Vermilion, IL Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 15 Dec 2017 (Age 71 years)
     2. Kathy Slayton
     3. Susan Slayton
     4. Michael Todd Slayton
    Family ID F10482  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
    Last Modified 2 Sep 2020 

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBirth - 13 Aug 1931 - Vermilion County, IL Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDeath - 8 Jan 2020 - Danville, Vermilion, IL Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBurial - - Danville, Vermilion, IL Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth 

  • Photos


  • Notes 
    • 1940 United States Federal Census
      about Archie Gustafson
      Name: Archie Gustafson
      Respondent: Yes
      Age: 50
      Estimated Birth Year: abt 1890
      Gender: Male
      Race: White
      Birthplace: Indiana
      Marital Status: Married
      Relation to Head of House: Head
      Home in 1940: Danville, Vermilion, Illinois
      Street: Robinson
      House Number: 412
      Farm: No
      Inferred Residence in 1935: Danville, Vermilion, Illinois
      Residence in 1935: Same Place
      Sheet Number: 8B
      Number of Household in Order of Visitation: 228
      Occupation: Gardener
      House Owned or Rented: Rented
      Value of Home or Monthly Rental if Rented: 20.00
      Attended School or College: No
      Highest Grade Completed: C8
      Hours Worked Week Prior to Census: 0
      Class of Worker: Wage or salary worker in private work
      Weeks Worked in 1939: 52
      Income: 576
      Income Other Sources: No
      Neighbors: View others on page
      Household Members: Name Age
      Archie Gustafson 50
      (Wife) Ruby Florence Gustafson 41 Indiana
      (Son) Archie Gustafson 11 Illinois
      (Son)Alvin Gustafson 10 Illinois
      (Daughter) Betty Gustafson 8 Michigan
      (Son)Robert Gustafson 6 Illinois
      (Daughter) Bonny Gustafson 2 Illinois
      (Roomer) Frazier 62 Indiana
      (Some transcription provided by David H. Drollinger 18 Mar 2013)