Betty D. Neill passed away peacefully on October 3, 2023 at 11:40 p.m. in Princeton at the age of 99. She was born on September 14, 1924 in Mercer County to Ralph and Opal D. Crawford Dorland; the only daughter of five children.
Betty met her future husband, Hubert, at a young age when their families moved next to each other on neighboring farms. While Hubert was serving in the Army during WWII, Betty taught third grade at Cavanaugh School. Upon Hubert’s return, they were married on August 12, 1945 in Modena. They first lived in a small trailer while Hubert was a lineman. They later purchased a farm near Modena where they lived until 1962 and then moved to Trenton, where Hubert worked at Trenton Food. They later bought a store and property in Brimson. They made many friends there and Betty worked in the Post Office for some time. The grandchildren and others spent lots of time there during the summer. They moved back to Trenton in 1999 where Hubert passed in 2001.
Betty was a talented seamstress, quilter, baker (famous for her pies), gardener and specialist of arts and crafts. Betty enjoyed teaching others, and passing down those skills to the younger generations.
Betty is survived by a son, Ken W. Neill of Spickard; grandchildren, Aaron W. Neill of Lawrence, KS, Alan D. Neill of Phoenix, AZ, M. Brandon Neill of Arvada, CO, Bobbi S. Neill of Arvada, CO, Erin E. (Glen) Williams of Denver, CO, Heather M. Neill of Denver, CO; eight great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, Edwin “Butch” (Lila) Neill of Trenton; sister-in-law, Marilyn Dorland of Osceola, IA; and many nieces and nephews.
Preceding her in death are her parents, Ralph and Opal D. Dorland; husband, Hubert D. Neill; son, Dennis D. (Faith Duncan) Neill; brothers, Max C. (Helen) Dorland, Clare J. Dorland, Maurice (Twilia) Dorland and Merrill D. Dorland; and her nieces, H. Maxine St John and L. Eileen (Norman) Bade.
Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Sunday, October 15, 2023 at Salem Cemetery of Mill Grove. Open visitation will be Saturday, October 14, 2023 from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Slater-Neal Funeral Home in Trenton.
Memorial donations are to be made out to the Alzheimer’s Association and may be left at or mailed to the funeral home.
Online condolences may be left at www.resthavenmort.com
