Betty I. Johnson, 79 of Keokuk died Thursday, January 16, 2014 at the Keokuk Area Hospital in Keokuk, IA. She was born on September 22, 1934 in Pike County, IL the daughter of Lyndle Bliss and Edith Lois Gourley Kern. On July 3, 1954 she was united in marriage to Welby Johnson in Ribbon, KY. He preceded her in death on April 12, 1993. Betty had been employed at Sheller Globe in Keokuk for thirty-seven years. She was a member of the Local 444 United Rubber Workers Union. Betty was an avid Chicago Cubs fan and she enjoyed playing Canasta. She was a hard worker and a treasured friend to many. Betty loved nothing more than to spend time with her great-grandchildren. She is survived by two daughters, Kathy VanVark of Hamilton, IL and Cindy McClenthen of Hamilton, IL, one step-daughter, Kay Snyder and her husband Larry of Pittsfield, IL and her family, one granddaughter, Kim Martin and her husband Nathan of Hamilton, IL, one grandson, Nathan VanVark of Keokuk, five great-grandchildren, Cole Oliver, Bliss Martin, Aaliya VanVark, Bryce VanVark and Presley VanVark , one sister, Deloris Neeley of Pittsfield, IL one brother, Johnnie Kern of Milton, IL and several nieces and nephews. She was also preceded in death by her parents, one son, Welby David Johnson, and one sister, Sue Smith. A memorial service was held at 2 p.m., Monday, January 20th, 2014 at the Vigen Memorial Home in Keokuk. Burial was in the Oakwood Cemetery in Hamilton, IL. Memorials may be made to the Keokuk Humane Society or the Salvation Army.