Betty was born February 8, 1922 at home near Durham, Illinois, being delivered by a country doctor, the daughter of Millard and Annice (Clark) Myers. The same doctor had delivered her future husband, Haven D. Vaughn, the day before. Soon after her family moved to Pontoosuc, Illinois, where she would spend her childhood years. They later moved to Dallas City where she met her high school sweetheart, Haven. They were married August 2, 1942 in Dallas City. Haven preceded her in death October 7, 2008.
Following their marriage the couple resided in a home on the Mississippi River in Dallas City for 25 years, before moving to the farm near Lomax. She enjoyed being a farm wife and took pride in raising their children. During World War II she worked as a inspector of dials for airplanes at Sheaffer Pen in Fort Madison. In later years she worked at Younkers in Burlington, Iowa
Betty enjoyed listening to Elvis Presley, Willie Nelson and Bob Dylan. She also enjoyed traveling, especially to Arizona. She was an excellent seamstress and master bridge player. Mrs. Vaughn was a member of the former Hend-Co Hills Golf Course in Biggsville and the Dallas City Christian Church, where she was active in the Women’s Fellowship.
Survivors include one daughter: Joyce (Randol) DeSotel of Dallas City; one son: Jeffrey Vaughn of Lomax; two grandchildren: Tyler (Alison) DeSotel and Jill (Kent) Rigg and six great-grandchildren: Marie, Kate and Nora DeSotel and Avery, Ella and Owen Rigg.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Haven, and one brother: Jack Myers.
Cremation has been entrusted to Banks & Beals Funeral Home.
Private family inurnment will be held at a later date in Crane Cemetery, near Lomax.
A memorial fund has been established for The Department of Psychiatry at the University of Iowa. Memorials and cards may be sent to Joyce DeSotel, P.O. Box 208, Dallas City, Illinois 62330. To leave a condolence for the family, please visit Betty’s obituary at banksandbeals.com.
