BETTE DOBEY McNEILL

    Bette Dobey McNeill, daughter of  Harron and Jeane Dobey,  was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma on December 30, 1926 and died peacefully on March 10, 2014 at the Village Care Center in Maryville, Missouri. Bette spent most of her childhood in Park Ridge, Illinois and after high school attended Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, where she met and married Joseph Edward McNeill on June 22, 1946. Bette and Joe moved to Mount Ayr, Iowa in 1949 where she was active in the United Methodist Church and after graduating from Drake University in 1962, began a long and distinguished elementary teaching career which continued until her retirement in 1992. In 1992 Bette and Joe retired and moved to Maryville, Missouri where she continued her involvement in the United Methodist Church and continued as a substitute teacher for many years.
    Bette was very proud of the accomplishments of her four children, Mike McNeill of Grand Junction, Colorado, Nancy (Tim) Hurst of Maryville, Missouri, David McNeill of West Des Moines, Iowa and Judi Swalwell of Houston, Texas, all of whom survive her. She is also survived by a sister, Nancy Gerard of Orlando, Florida; a brother, Jack Dobey of Park Ridge, Illinois; eight grandchildren, Noah (Sarah) Hurst of Champaign, Illinois, Dylan Hurst of Maryville, Missouri, Justin McNeill of Denver, Colorado, Ben McNeill of West Des Moines, Iowa, Maggie McNeill of New York, New York; Andy Swalwell of Houston, Texas, Sam (Ashley and granddaughter Amira) Swalwell of Huxley, Iowa and William (Tracy) Swalwell of Des Moines, Iowa.
    She was preceded in death by her parents, Jeane and Harron Dobey; sister, Bonnie Campbell of Orlando, Florida, and her husband, Joe McNeill.
    A memorial service will be held this summer in Park Ridge, Illinois. Memorials may be made to Backpack Buddies, c/o the Ministry Center, 971 South Main Street, Maryville, MO 64468; Village Care Center, 810 East Edwards St., Maryville, MO 64468, or SSM Hospice of NW Missouri, 1912 South Main, Maryville, MO 64468.