Joan J Betterly
of Algonquin

Joan J. Betterly, 74, died Wednesday, February 8, 2006 at Rosewood Care Center of Inverness of complications from lung cancer. She was a resident of Rosewood for the last 20 months of her illness.

Joan was born November 19,1931 in Bakersfield, California to Julia (nee Tibbs) and Hal Mishler. As a teenager, she was a member of Job's Daughters International through her father's affiliation with the Masonic Lodge in Bakersfield. Joan graduated from Bakersfield High School in 1949 and then attended Lufkin's Business College in Bakersfield, receiving a business degree in 1952. On June 17, 1950, she married Richard Noxon, also of Bakersfield, in a candlelight ceremony at the First Congregational Church.

Joan and Richard moved from Bakersfield to San Jose, California in 1952. In San Jose, she began her busy life as housewife and mother to three daughters and also found time for ceramics, bowling, Church activities, as well as serving in many functions of the Ladies Auxiliary of the CPA Society Chapter in San Jose.

In 1972, she and Richard and their daughters moved to Arlington Heights, Illinois when Richard's employer relocated to Chicago from San Jose. Joan also lived in Buffalo Grove, Illinois where she began her long and successful career in real estate, first with Coldwell Banker and then with Baird and Warner until her retirement in 1999. During her career she received many awards for excellence in sales achievements and exemplary service to customers and clients.

Joan moved to Algonquin in 1994, where she lived until the later stages of her illness, and was a member of the Congregational Church of Algonquin. In her retirement, Joan enjoyed traveling, attending Chicago Cubs games, and spending time with her daughters and their families. She was also a skilled bridge and gin rummy player and enjoyed games of chance. Her friendly and outgoing personality will be truly missed by all.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents and her son-in-law Robert Trzupek. She is survived by long-time friend and caregiver Don Frailing, and caregiver and former husband Richard Noxon, both of Algonquin; daughters Cathy (Larry) Gallagher of Algonquin, Julie (Stan) Anderson of Harvard and Lori (Gary) Swegle of Lakemoor; grandsons Jeffery Meade, Michael Meade and Trevor Benson, granddaughters Shannon Meade and Haley Benson; great-granddaughters Alyssa and Jenna Meade, and great- grandson Tyler Meade. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Donna Murphy of Pismo Beach, California; cousins Bill (Edie) Kirkham of Reno, Nevada, Chris (Cindy) Hignite of Austin, Texas, Janet Neufer of Oroville, California, Paul (Carla) Tibbs of Watsonville, California, John (Sally) Tibbs of Missoula, Montana, and Maryann (Paul) Carpenter of Oxnard, California. Other survivors include her step-sons Rick, Rod and Victor Betterly and their families and the many friends she gathered from school, churches, neighborhoods, and through her real estate career.

A funeral service 3:00 PM Saturday, February 11, 2006 at the Glueckert Funeral Home, 1520 N. Arlington Heights Road, (4 blocks south of Palatine Road) Arlington Heights. Visitation will be from 1:00 PM until the time of service at the funeral home. Interment private.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given by mail to the Hospice Foundation of Northeastern Illinois, 410 South Hager Avenue, Barrington, Illinois 60010, or online at www.Hospice.Answers.orn.