Betty Jane Stewart, 85, of Festus died June 25, 2025, at Mercy Hospital Jefferson in Crystal City. Mrs. Stewart was a retired nurse’s aide from the old Jefferson Memorial Hospital in Festus. She was a member of the De Soto Church of Christ. Born Sept. 20, 1939, in Leora, she was the daughter of the late Iva Mae (Grim) and Oscar Jennings.
She was preceded in death by her husband: Glen Loyd Stewart.
She is survived by a daughter: Kathy (Mike) Baladenski of Festus; a son: Gary (the late Laura) Stewart of Hughes Springs, Texas; eight grandchildren: Martha (Bruce) Amox, Kathrine (Joey) Brown, Elizabeth (Corey) Howell, Doug (Jessica) Stewart, Matthew (Katlyn) Stewart, Annie Baladenski, Carrie (Brandon) Volkmar and Amy (Kevin) Meyer; and 17 great-grandchildren: Hunter Redd, Joseph Chalunpy, Ethan Chalunpy, Noah Chalunpy, Emma Chalunpy, Micahlynn Meyer, Addison Meyer, Logan Amox, Layla Applegate, Samuel Brown, Emily Brown, Ryder Stewart, Rylee Stewart, Lathan Howell, Margaret Stewart, Emilia Stewart and Georgia Stewart.
She also was preceded in death by two brothers: Harold (the late Venona) Jennings and Dean (the late Helen) Jennings.
Visitation is scheduled from 6-8 p.m. today, June 30, at Vinyard Funeral Home, 616 W. Main St., in Festus. A funeral service is scheduled for 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 1, at the funeral home, officiated by Gary Stewart. Burial will be in the Presbyterian/Methodist Cemetery in Festus. Memorials may be made to Children's Homes Inc., 5515 Walcott Road, Paragould, AR, 72450. Arrangements are under the direction of Vinyard Funeral Home.