Betty Jean (Hogan) Cowling

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Betty Jean Hogan Cowling on Monday, July 16, 2012 at 9:13 pm in Provo, UT of metastasized breast cancer.

Betty was born on August 29, 1936 at the “small farm” in Dillard, Crawford County, Missouri to Melvin Lafayette Hogan and Mamie Dicy Sellers. She graduated from Steelville High School and attended some college. She had worked for Western Electric, the US Postal Service, and Wal-Mart.  Although Betty was born in Dillard, she had also lived in the Missouri towns of Steelville, Maryland Heights, O’Fallon, Troy, and Wentzville.  She also lived in Wisconsin while her husband attended school and most recently lived in Provo, UT.  Betty was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since 1967 and frequently served the children as a Primary Worker. 

Betty loved music, playing the clarinet in high school and singing in the choir with her beautiful alto voice.  She liked to hike and read.  Betty also admired handiwork and craftsmanship.  History and genealogy interested her, and she loved to travel and learn about new places.

Family was central to Betty’s life.  She was formerly married to Robert Irving Cowling and had seven children, thirty grandchildren, and fifteen great grandchildren.  Her children include daughter Anya Elizabeth married to Bryan Gilbert Allred; daughter Phyllis Jean (deceased) married to Walter “Bud” Wiest; daughter Bobbi Denise married to Peter David Benesh; son Forrest Irving married to Beth Ann Van Divers; son Christopher Robert married to Andrea Meeks; son Milton Earl; and son Major Daniel Melvin married to Kristina Diane Clay.  Betty herself grew up in a large family with seven siblings—Thurston, Harry, Irma, Leonard, Jesse, Dolores, and her twin brother Paul.

Betty is preceded by parents Melvin and Mamie; brothers Thurston, Harry, and Leonard; sisters Irma and Dolores; daughter Phyllis; granddaughter Anna Wiest; and great granddaughter Dysamae Minson.

Many thanks to the Lake St. Louis LDS Ward for the extraordinary attention and care they gave to Betty. Also thank you to the doctors, nurses, surgeons, and aides during her cancer care and treatment.

We rejoice in Betty’s rich and full life, finding comfort in knowing she is with her Heavenly Father, free from the pain of cancer. Even though Betty is no longer with her family on Earth, we know she is surrounded by her family in heaven, relishing the reunion with the loved ones who have preceded her. We love and miss you Betty!

The Family received friends from 10:45 a.m. until 11:45 a.m. on Monday, July 23, 2012 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, Missouri.

A funeral service was held at 12:00 Noon on Monday, July 23, 2012 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, MO with Bryan Gilbert Allred officiating. Memories were shared by her children and the eulogy was given by her brother, Jesse Hogan. Music was sung by her grandchildren and other family members. Prelude and postlude were played by Darlene Cape. The closing prayer was by her twin brother, Paul Hogan.

Honored to be casket bearers were Robert Irving Cowling, Forrest Irving Cowling, Christopher Robert Cowling, Milton Earl Cowling, Daniel Melvin Cowling, Jacob Bryan Allred, Austin David Benesh, Nathan Daniel Benesh and Colin Daniel Wiest.

Committal prayer, dedication of the grave and burial were in the Sellers Cemetery at Dillard, MO.

The Family was served by the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home of Steelville, MO.

 Service Information