Mrs. Bethard worked at Memorial Hospital for 30 years before her retirement. She was an avid Cardinal baseball fan. Rosemary enjoyed reading, watching her grandchildren, and preparing family meals.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, James L. Bethard, whom she married on May 13, 1950, and who died on April 3, 2001; her parents, Lawrence and Margaret, nee Delaney, Schmidt; a sister, Kathleen Emig; four brothers, Kenneth Schmidt, James Schmidt, Marty (Martha) Schmidt, and Larry Schmidt; and a son-in-law, John Spear II.
Surviving are a son, John (Christi) Bethard of Las Vegas, NV; three daughters, Donna (Dave) Brueggemann of Smithton, IL, Connie Bethard of Belleville, IL, and Sally Spear of Marine, IL; 12 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Carol Schmidt of Belleville, IL, and nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be made to Williams-syndrome.org. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Visitation: Friends may visit from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday, February 21, 2021, and from 9 to 11 a.m. Monday, February 22, 2021, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL. Standard CDC guidelines, including masks and social distancing, will be observed.
Funeral: Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, February 22, 2021, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL, with Rev. Jon Lange officiating.
Burial will be at Green Mount Catholic Cemetery, Belleville, IL.