HALLAM
Yvetta Delores “Betty” Hallam, 79, of Dallas City, Illinois, passed away Tuesday, March 21, 2023 at Blessing Hospital in Quincy, Illinois.
Betty was born December 29, 1943 in Streator, Illinois, the daughter of John Franklin and Dorothy Fern (Haner) Owens. She married Ronald Ervin “Bud” Hallam November 18, 1961 in Streator, Illinois. They had been next door neighbors from the time she was 3 years old. They continued to raise their family of six children in Streator, Illinois until moving to Dallas City in 1977.
Betty worked for a few years at the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant in West Burlington Iowa before beginning a 20 year career as a Switchboard operator at the Fort Madison Community Hospital in Fort Madison, Iowa. Her hobbies included cooking, canning, gardening, playing Words With Friends, flower arranging, shopping at the Dutchman’s Store and Highway 2 Grocery, and collecting shoes and bling. She sparkled wherever she went.
Her life revolved around her faith, her family and music. At the age of 3, she began playing piano with both hands. Her parents recognized her gift and signed her up for a few lessons. However, the training she received was no match for her natural talents on the keyboard. She would often say that she wished she could play it the way she “heard it in (her) head.” Humming a few bars of a song she had never heard before was all that was needed for her to anticipate where the music was going and to follow along. She could effortlessly transpose any song into a key that comfortably accommodated the singer’s range. During warmer weather, with the windows open, neighbors were blessed to hear her playing.
She was well known for her laughter, her sense of humor, her wise counsel and her love for her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She faithfully attended and supported the Church of the Nazarene in Montrose, Iowa. So many called her “Mom” and she faithfully prayed for every one of them. There was always room at the table for “one more.” If you ever left her home hungry, it was almost certainly your own fault. She drew a very large circle of love around her and invited others to join her.
Survivors include her husband; Bud; six children: Tammy Perkins of Carnegie, Oklahoma, Ronda (Bob) Norris of Warsaw, Illinois, Eric Hallam of Ft. Madison, Colleen (Duane) Taylor of Mexico, Missouri, Candi (Thomas) Kendall of Warsaw and Sarah (John) Whitaker of Dallas City; twenty-one grandchildren: Charlotte (Brian) McCalip, Randy (Niki) Perkins, Nathan (Brooke) Perkins, Jeremiah (Tanessa) Perkins, Samuel (Taylor) Perkins, Justin (Jackie) Norris, Chad (Shelly) Norris, Katlyn (Levi) Wilson, Daniel (Bethany) Taylor, Heidi (Kevin) Brewer, Martha Taylor, Suzannah (Nathaniel) Murray, Madeline Taylor, Dustin Taylor, Clareece Kendall, Cory (Isabella) Kendall, Clayton (Samantha) Kendall, Christopher Kendall, Curtis Kendall, Asa Whitaker, Ezra Whitaker and Rhema Whitaker; twenty three great-grandchildren and a special cousin that she considered a sister: Mary Bagby
She was preceded in death by her parents; two siblings in infancy: Dorwin and Charlotte; one sister: Bonnie Fasking; two sons-in-law: Chip Perkin and Steven Huffman and one grandson: Devin Taylor.
Friends may call after 2:00 p.m. Friday, March 24, 2023 at Banks & Beals Funeral Home in Dallas City, where the family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m.
The funeral service for Mrs. Hallam will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, March 25, 2023 at the Montrose Church of the Nazarene, Montrose, Iowa, with Pastor Preston Smith officiating. Burial will follow in the Carman Cemetery, Carman, Illinois.
A memorial fund has been established for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Teresa Adams House at Blessing Hospital or Montrose Church of the Nazarene. To leave an online condolence for the family, please visit Betty’s obituary at
banksandbeals.com.
