Bessie Keating, 85, of Belvidere, died Friday, July 28, 2006 in O.S.F. St. Anthony Medical Center following a sudden illness. She was born March 31, 1921 in Flora Township, Illinois, the daughter of Charles H. and Blanche (Culver) Burton. She has lived most of her life in the Belvidere-Boone County area. Bessie married Jess Keating in Belvidere, Ill. on December 21, 1937. She helped farm with her husband for twenty years in rural Boone County. She later worked in assembly for the Champion Company for 5 years and for Belvidere Company for 8 years. In her spare time, she enjoyed crocheting, knitting and growing flowers. Bessie is survived by three children, Blanche (Ronald) Reeder, Rockford, Ill.; Elaine (Glenn) Adamson, Maricopa, AZ; and Gary (Cathryn) Keating, Kaukauna, Wis.,; thirteen grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews; and one sister, Flora Shawvan, Bradenton, Fla.; She is preceded in death by her husband, two sons, Jerry in 1945 from Polio and Roy Keating in March 2002, and eleven brothers and sisters.

Memorials in care of the family in her name.