Betty Fisherkeller Pine, 94, passed on September 18, 2025. Born on July 4, 1931, she lived her life in celebration mode, full of love, happiness and energy. Family was her priority. She married John R. Pine, Jr. in 1955. They had four children: Kathy Pine (Mark Brittingham), John Pine III (Kelly), Mike Pine (Linda Weaver), and Mark Pine (Yvonne Fix). Betty's husband died young in 1975, but she mustered the courage to carry on, with the help of many family members and friends, especially her precious mother-in-law Louise Pine. Once her children were raised to adulthood, Betty helped raise her grandchildren: Audrey Brittingham (Moe Pazos), Frances Brittingham (Greyson Lewis), Sam Brittingham (Katelyn) and John Pine IV.

Betty's extended family was also important to her. She grew up on Lowell Avenue in Springfield, IL, one of six children of Beatrice and Carl Fisherkeller. She dearly loved her five siblings, all of whom predeceased her, her 28 nieces and nephews, and her many cousins.

Betty was also very involved in her community. After graduating from Illinois College in 1953 and marrying, Betty and John made their home on Sunnydale Avenue in Jacksonville, where she lived for more than 60 years. Betty was very active in many organizations, often serving as president, including Pilot Club of Jacksonville (a local humanitarian service organization), Jacksonville Symphony Society, The Jacksonville City Cemeteries Board, Right to Life, Election Judge, Our Savior's Parish including Alter & Rosary Society and the Choir, the Illinois College Alumni Association, which gave Betty its Distinguished Citizen award in 2001, and Illinois College which gave her the Alumni Trustee Award in 1999.  Betty also made time for play and hobbies, belonging to two bridge clubs, playing the piano, dancing and listening to music, baking for numerous organizations, meticulously tending to her yard, and spending time with friends.

Busy with family and community, Betty also worked for 25 years as Outreach Program Director at the Jacksonville Public Library. She loved her job which allowed her to connect so many people to books, including people with visual impairments, people in nursing homes or homebound and others. To recommend books to her readers, Betty read voraciously. In 1993, Betty received the statewide award from the Illinois Library Association, J. Skrzypek Award for Exceptional Service to People with Disabilities, in recognition of her innovations promoting large print and talking books to her readers.

In her final years, Betty lived peacefully at Stonebridge Senior Living in Jacksonville. She made many friends there, especially with the staff. Betty was always quick with a smile, a "thank you", and a kiss. Betty's family is very thankful to all her caregivers.

A celebration of our mother's life is planned for Monday, October 6, 2025. A visitation will be held from 9:30 am to 11:00 am, with a service to follow at the Buchanan & Cody Funeral Home in Jacksonville, 1100 Lincoln Avenue. Burial will take place immediately after the service at Calvary Cemetery, 1600 Lincoln Avenue.

If you would like to make a donation in memory of Betty, please consider Pilot Club of Jacksonville (pilotclubjax.org) or Jacksonville Symphony Society (jaxsym-il.org).