Obituary: Bettisch

BLOOMINGTON – Charles M. “Motor Man” Bettisch, 80, of Bloomington, passed away at 2:46 a.m. on Thursday, March 24, 2016 at Advocate BroMenn Medical Center in Normal.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 1-5:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 3, 2016 at 1618 W. Locust Street, Bloomington. Kibler-Brady-Ruestman Memorial Home in Bloomington is assisting the family with arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to his family.

Charles was born on November 25, 1935 in Beech Grove, Indiana, a son to Stephen and Ruth Brown Bettisch. He married Linda S. Ridgeway on June 16, 1990 in Downs.

Surviving is his wife, Linda Bettisch of Downs; son, Chad (Gwynne) Bettisch of Leroy; three step-children, Tina Colandria of Bloomington, Louis (Darla) Huff of Carlock and Ruth (Jeff) Gibson of Bloomington; three sisters, Pat (Dick) Kopecky of Big Bear, CA, Linda Diehl of Tyler, TX and Teresa (Bruce) O’Brien of Normal; nine grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sons, Scott and Guy and one brother, Steve.

Charles was a mechanic, owner and operator of All American Auto in Bloomington.

Online condolences and memories of Charles may be left for the family at kiblerbradyruestman.com.

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…