×
BACK

Elizabeth “Betty” Marie Calligaris, 99, of Marseilles, passed away on Saturday, June 21, 2025, at her home surrounded by her family.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 26 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Marseilles with Fr. Ryan Mattingly and Deacon Ron Wackerlin officiating. Entombment will be in the Shrine of Rest Mausoleum in Oakwood Memorial Park in Ottawa. Seals-Campbell Funeral Home in Marseilles is entrusted with arrangements.

Betty was born on July 10, 1925, in Marseilles, to John and Mary (Priami) Bergera. Betty met the love of her life and married Charles Calligaris, on October 5, 1946 in Marseilles where they lived for 71 years until his passing in 2017. Both were life-long members of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church.

Betty was a State of Illinois employee for 47 years, beginning at the Illinois Boys Camp and later retiring from Sheridan Correctional Center. She was a loyal employee, but Betty’s real dedication was her family. She enjoyed attending sports activities, dances, and school events for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her faithful presence gained her the title number #1 fan by her family and their teammates, even being honored with the Marquette Academy’s “2021-2022 Booster Award.”

Betty is survived by her daughter, Charlene (Lyle) Nelson of Marseilles; her son, Charles (Karen) Calligaris of Morris; four grandchildren, Matt (Meaghan) Nelson, Sonja (Josh) Novotney, Sarah (Mark) Clemmons, and Christine (Brandon) Niewinski; and ten great-grandchildren, Hallie and Logan Nelson, Alec, Griffin and Noah Novotney, Finley and Andrew Clemmons, and Bryce, Brooklyn and Brayden Niewinski.

She was preceded in death by her two sisters, Angie Rhines and one sister in infancy, Roseanne.

Pallbearers will be Matt and Logan Nelson, Josh and Alec Novotney, Mark Clemmons, and Brandon Niewinski.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude for the compassionate care and support she received by all her caregivers and OSF Hospice, and especially Amy, who provided loving care for three years.

Seals-Campbell Funeral Home

1009 E. Bluff St., Marseilles, IL 61341 815-795-5151 www.sealscampbell.com

BACK