Betty A. (Dunahee) Buchanan, 77, of Herrick, IL, answered her call to heaven Saturday Feb. 1, 2014 after a nearly four year battle with cancer. Betty passed from this life in her rural Herrick home surrounded by family at her bedside. Funeral services in Cowden Christian Church with Pastor Nathan Harper officiating. Burial in Myers Cemetery at Herrick.

Betty was born to Ivan L. and Mae (Grove) Dunahee on October 17, 1936 at Calhoun, Illinois. Betty was the president of the Richland County Rural Youth when she met the president of the Shelby County Rural Youth, Maurice Buchanan. Betty married Maurice on April 9, 1961 at Elm Street Christian Church in Olney, IL and they came to Herrick to live on the farm in the house where Maurice was born.

Besides raising two boys, Betty was more apt to be found doing the things necessary to make a farm run smoothly, whether dealing with the livestock or doing fieldwork. Betty was active as a 4-H Leader and later served as a superintendent in the Produce Barn at the Shelby County 4-H fairs. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Kuilka Chapter of Shelby County. She was involved with community projects in Herrick and served as a board member for the Cowden-Herrick School System for several years.

Surviving are sons Michael (Paula) Buchanan and Mark Buchanan both of Herrick; grandchildren: Paige Buchanan and Matthew Buchanan both of Herrick sister Mildred (Larry) Tracy of Frostproof, FL; brothers: Kenneth (June) Dunahee of Maryville, IL and Don Dunahee (Barb) of Calhoun, IL; sister-in-laws: Peg Dunahee of Olney, IL Lou Buchanan of Shelbyville, IL and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Maurice, her parents and brother Russell Dunahee.

Published in Daily Union (Shelbyville, IL) ~ Monday, February 3, 2014