Betty Jean Yontz Sams Smelcer, 98, of Urbana passed away at 6:40 am on Sunday, May 26, 2019 at Meadowbrook Health Center in Urbana.

A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on July 27, 2019 at Clark-Lindsey Village in the Activity Center, Urbana.

Betty was born in Chrisman, IL on December 17, 1920 to parents W. Roger & Urma (Light) Yontz. They proceeded her in death. Also preceding her in death was her sister, Elaine Yontz Regehr  & her infant brother, George Richard Yontz. She is survived by several cousins & many friends.

Betty graduated from Chrisman High School in 1938, and from Illinois Wesleyan in Bloomington  in 1942, where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Music. She married Julian Sams of Mt. Pulaski on September 14, 1947. They divorced in 1985.

Betty loved God, music, & nature. She was a member of First United Methodist Church, Urbana, a member of Sierra Club & National Audubon Society, and an avid bird watcher. She & her sister, Elaine, made many Birding Trips together.

Memorial contributions may be made to Clark-Lindsey Friendship Fund, Nature Conservancy of Illinois, or to First United Methodist Church of Urbana. Condolences may be offered at renner-wikoffchapel.com