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Sullivan- Betty Jean (Dowell) Spires, 60, of Sullivan, formerly of Lincoln and Atwood, passed away 3:00 a.m. Sunday, December 30, 2012 at Lakeland Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center, Effingham.

Memorial services will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 5, 2013 at the McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Sullivan. Visitation will be held one hour before the service at the funeral home. Private family burial will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made in care of the family.

Betty was born February 13, 1952 in Lincoln, the daughter of Robert and Lydia (McMullen) Dowell. She married Larry Spires April 9, 1993 in Lincoln. He preceded her in death on February 21, 2007.

Throughout her life Betty worked at many restaurants as she loved to cook and bake, which she passed on to her daughter Michelle. She along with her husband Larry ran the S/S Express catering service for several years.

She is survived by her daughter, Michelle (Rob) Young of Sullivan; brothers, Tom (Sandy) Dowell of Delavan and Dan (Ellen) Dowell of East Peoria; sister, Marge (Jim) Wibben of Atlanta. Betty is also survived by five grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Larry, one grandson and one nephew.
The family would like to thank Dr. Glen Dust, Dr. David Kowalski, Lincolnland Hospice and the staff at Lakeland Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center for all the care they provided for Betty.

Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mcmullinyoung.com.