Cover photo for Betty Jean Novy's Obituary
Betty Jean Novy Profile Photo

Betty Jean Novy

July 29, 1933 — January 28, 2025

Wilmington

Betty Jean Novy

Age 91 ½  of Wilmington, Illinois died Tuesday, January 28, 2025 at the Lightways Hospice Home in Joliet, Illinois.

Born July 29, 1933 in Custer Township, Illinois, Betty Jean was a daughter of Chester and Mary (Cooper) Mullins. She was raised and educated in Wilmington, graduated from Wilmington High School with the Class of 1951, and attended Illinois State University. Following school, Betty worked for the Joliet Army Ammunition Plant and on August 30, 1953 Betty married Harvey Kenneth Novy in Wilmington. She was a very active member of the First Presbyterian Church in Wilmington where she was a Deacon and offered communion to area shut ins.

Betty took great pleasure in sewing and gardening, and was an avid sports fan. She was talented, south paw, softball pitcher as a young woman, leading her team to State and even threw a no hitter. Betty was devoted to her family, especially her grandchildren. She loved to play basketball with them, as well as other kids in the neighborhood, and was affectionately known as Grandma Boopie. Betty looked forward to her monthly luncheons with her "Pretend Cousins", as well as playing Euchre and Yahtzee and baking Christmas and Halloween treats. Remembered for her honesty and sense of humor, she made family her life, leaving behind a beautiful legacy of love. Betty will forever be cherished by those who loved and knew her.

Survivors include three children: Julie (Bruce) Hoff of Sun City Center, Florida, Marjorie (William) Theobald of Shorewood, Illinois, and Bryan (Teresa) Novy of Braidwood, Illinois; nine grandchildren: Dawn (Noah) Miller, Jeff (Kate) Fuller, Kaitlin Hoff (Drew) Nielsen, Jason (Jessica) Hoff, Scott Theobald, Christina Theobald, Michael (Lex) Novy, Nicole (Judy) Tran-Novy, and Marilyn Novy; nine great grandchildren: Alex and Nathan Bohlin, Annabelle and Jordan Miller, Arianna Fuller, Sadie Banks, Evelyn and Aubrey Nielsen, and Dylan Hoff; as well as many cousins and numerous nieces and nephews.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, and two sisters: Alice Mullins and Lila (Keith) Lockwood.

The family will receive friends for a visitation at Baskerville Funeral Home, 700 East Kahler Road, in Wilmington on Friday, January 31, 2025 between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. and again on Saturday February 1, 2025 from 10:00 a.m. until time of funeral service, 11:00 a.m. Reverend KJ Norris will officiate.

Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery in Braidwood where Betty will be laid to rest with her husband.

Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Betty's memory to First Presbyterian Church in Wilmington, Kuzma Care Cottage, or Our Caring Closet.

Family and friends are encouraged to log onto www.BaskervilleFuneral.com to sign the online guest book, upload photographs, and share Betty's memorial page via social media. 

Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Reeves & Baskerville Funeral Homes and Crematory in Wilmington (815) 476-2181.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Betty Jean Novy, please visit our flower store.

Past Services

Visitation

Friday, January 31, 2025

4:00 - 7:00 pm (Central time)

Baskerville Funeral Home Wilmington

700 East Kahler Road, Wilmington, IL 60481

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Visitation

Saturday, February 1, 2025

10:00 - 11:00 am (Central time)

Baskerville Funeral Home Wilmington

700 East Kahler Road, Wilmington, IL 60481

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Funeral Service

Saturday, February 1, 2025

11:00 - 11:45 am (Central time)

Baskerville Funeral Home Wilmington

700 East Kahler Road, Wilmington, IL 60481

Livestream

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Interment

Saturday, February 1, 2025

12:15 - 12:45 pm (Central time)

Oakwood Cemetery - Braidwood

34801 Essex Road, Wilmington, IL 60481

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

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