V. Gertrude Bethell

Gertrude Bethell, 92 of Aledo, died Saturday, April 27, 2013 at her home. Funeral services will be Thursday at 1:00 PM at Speer Funeral Home, Aledo. Burial will be in Peniel Cemetery, Joy. Visitation is Wednesday from 4 to 7 PM at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association; American Cancer Society or to College Avenue Presbyterian Church. Velma Gertrude was born on February 19, 1921 in Buffalo Prairie, Illinois to Fred S. & Velma I. (Graham) Castle, Sr. Gertrude and George W. Bethell eloped on May 7, 1940 to Tipton, Iowa. He preceded her in death on October 28, 2001. Gertrude was employed for 36 years with the Mercer County ASCS Office, retiring in 1996. She was a member of the Mercer County Home Extension; Mercer County Hospital Auxiliary; Davenport Moose Lodge; Business & Professional Women; the Varsity Dinner Dance Club; Federal Retirees Employees Assoc. and College Avenue Presbyterian Church, where she was a member of the Women’s Assoc. Those left to cherish Gertrude’s memory include her children and their spouses: Marna & David Ehlers of Coal Valley; George Laverne & Jane Bethell of Davenport and Diana & Jim Vance of Aledo; 10 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great-grandchildren. Also surviving is her beloved companion, “Pug”. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; and brothers: Arnold, Stuart, Rea, Henry, Merle, Fred, Lynn and Leonard Castle.