Betty R. Finley, St. Charles

Betty Ruth Ream Finley, 81, of St. Charles, died Friday, June 27, 2008, in St. Louis.

She was born July 4, 1926, near Hughesville, a daughter of Thomas J. and Mary Landes Ream. She was married to Robert E. “Newt” Finley, who died earlier.

She graduated from Hughesville High School and Central Methodist College in Fayette. In 1945, she represented the college and won the Miss Missouri title. She represented Missouri at the Miss America Pageant in Atlantic City, N.J. Her pageant scholarship money went toward her bachelor’s degree in business education.

She taught for more than 30 years at Ritenour High School, teaching business and English. She retired in 1983.

Surviving are five daughters, Sharon Sanker, and her husband, Robert, and Barbara Giltner, all of St. Peters, Pat Coffel, and her husband, Denny, of St. Charles, Beth Fischer, of Silex, and Donna Bruns, and her husband, Robert, of Woodlands, Texas; two brothers, James Ream, of Sedalia, and Thomas Ream, of Piedmont; a nephew, Bob Ream, of Hughesville; 11 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and two great-nephews.

Funeral services were Monday at Ortmann-Stipanovich Funeral Home in Creve Couer. Burial was private.

The family suggests memorial contributions to the Shriner’s Hospital for Children.