Bessie Estelle "Betty" Eggemeyer, 94

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Bessie Estelle "Betty" Eggemeyer, 94, of Granite City, Illinois passed away at 4:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 10, 2012 at Rosewood Care Center in Edwardsville. She was born August 7, 1917 in Ellis Grove, Illinois, a daughter of the late Stephen and Grace (Leavitt) Dreczka. She married Harold William Eggemeyer in Perryville, Missouri on February 7, 1942 and he preceded her in death on April 2, 1988. She was a faithful member of Third Baptist Church in Granite City for over 50 years and served as the nursery teacher for over 30 years. She will be remembered for the love and special times shared with her grandchildren and other family. She is survived by her daughter, Sharon Aleksandrian of Granite City; grandson,, Larry and Lauren Aleksandrian of Edwardsville; granddaughter, Roxanne and Robert Portell of Maryville; grandson, William and Jackie Aleksandrian of San Marcos, California; four great-grandchildren, Sarah Portell, Caitlin and Ryan Cocker, Lynley Aleksandrian and Payton Aleksandrian; two great-great grandchildren, Eli and Lola Cocker; one sister, Glenna Bollinger of Ellis Grove; sister-in-law, Shirley Dreczka of Ellis Grove; other extended family and friends. In addition to her beloved husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her son-in-law, Lorens Aleksandrian; two brothers, Virgil Dreczka and Florisant Dreczka and two sisters, Natalia Blind and Violet Fink.

In celebration of her life, visitation was held at Irwin Chapel, 2801 Madison Avenue in Granite City on Saturday, March 17, 2012 from 10:00 a.m. until time of funeral service at 11:00 a.m. with Reverend Mark Powell officiating.

Graveside services were held at the Ellis Grove Cemetery in Ellis Grove at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 17, 2012.

Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association or to Third Baptist Church in Granite City and may be accepted at the funeral home. www.irwinchapel.com