Published on August 23, 2026 5:35 pm
Last Updated on August 23, 2026 5:35 pm
Betty Jean Antrim Toops, 88 of Effingham, formerly of Neoga, passed away peacefully Saturday, August 22 at Willow Brook Memory Care.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, August 25 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Swengel- O’Dell Funeral Home Neoga. Services will be Wednesday, August 26 10:00 AM at the funeral home with burial at Long Point Cemetery of rural Neoga.
Betty was born the 8th child of Alonzo Maloy and Rosalie Sarah Bennett Antrim on September 16, 1927 at Forsyth, IL. On June 3, 1945, she married James Toops. Together they shared 53 years of marriage making their home in the Neoga community. Betty was known to many as a local poet who often penned poems for special occasions or for people of the community. She also published books of poetry and was a member of the International Society of Poets. Betty loved playing the violin and could often be found playing for grandchildren and great grandchildren or at local nursing homes. She was also a long-time member of the Neoga Presbyterian choir.
She is survived by her children Phillip (Rita) Toops, Effingham, Illinois, Sandra (Paul) Luchtefeld, Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, Vernon Toops, Charleston, West Virginia, and Jay Toops, Rochester, New York, 9 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren, 2 great great grandchildren, sister, Joan Lynch, Effingham, Illinois and special friend, Roger Osterday, Toledo, Illinois.
Betty was proceeded in death by her parents, husband James J. Toops, 9 brothers, 2 sisters, daughter-in-law Maureen Vincent Toops and granddaughter Michele Toops Bierman.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations to United Presbyterian Church of Neoga, 704 Locust Avenue Neoga, Illinois 62447 appreciated .
The Swengel – O’Dell Funeral Home of Neoga, Illinois is assisting with arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.swengel-odell.com