Obituary of Betty June Corbett

Betty June Corbett

1927-2021

Betty June Millard Corbett passed away peacefully in her sleep at the age of 94 on August 1, 2021.  She was born Betty June Peck in Mason City, Iowa in June 1927.  After graduating high school, she attended the Hamilton School of Business and worked for the American Red Cross.  She later married John F. Millard in 1947, starting a family and having four beautiful children. The family lived in sixteen midwestern cities during her early adult life among them Green Bay, Wisconsin and Bensenville, Illinois.  After John F. Millard passed away Betty married George W. Corbett in 1979.  She lived in Elmhurst, Illinois and Pensacola, Florida with George. Throughout her married and retired life, she was a member of the Millies Club of the Milwaukee Road railroad.   Her final days found her surrounded by the love and warmth of her family.  Betty was a beloved daughter, sister, aunt, wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.  All her life, she was a natural caregiver and selflessly cared for many loved ones in need.  Betty had very diverse interests, with a particular fascination in horses, beautiful dolls, architecture of homes, Elvis Presley, and art.  She was an avid reader of US history and an Abraham Lincoln aficionado. She will be remembered most for her generous heart, fierce devotion to her family, independent spirit and joyous laughter that touched the lives of so many.  Among the many things that brought her joy, was her love of drawing.  Although she wouldn’t always admit it she was quite talented and was sketching beautiful faces and portraits up until her final days. Her final years were spent near her daughter and son-in law in Edina and Eden Prairie, Minnesota where she enjoyed so very many happy days.

A private family service will be held on Saturday August 7^th at Saint Michael the Archangel Catholic Cemetery and Mausoleum in Palatine, Illinois with Deacon Tom Dunne of St. Thomas of Villanova officiating.

She is preceded in death by her mother Gayle and father Ellsworth Peck, brothers William, Conrad, Douglas and Jack Peck, husband John F. Millard, husband George W. Corbett, sons John D. and Gregory Millard, daughter in law Susan Millard, and grandsons Jason and Daniel Millard.

Betty is survived by her daughters Kathleen (Jackson) Taylor and Mary (Arvid) Povilaitis, stepdaughter Connie (Scott) Taylor, stepson John (Norma) Corbett, daughters in law Patricia Korous and Martha Millard, grandchildren Jonathan (Rebecca) Keller, Amanda (Rob) Paton, Julia and Austin Povilaitis, and Adam Taylor and great grandsons, Jeffrey, and Avery Keller. 

Thank you to the health care workers at Eden Prairie Senior Living and Brighton Hospice for your compassionate and wonderful care of our mother. In honor of her generous and caring spirit, Betty’s family asks that in lieu of flowers please extend a kindness to someone in need.  Her spirit will be greatly missed.