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Betty Jane Merrill (nee Ridenour), known to family and friends as B.J. was born on March 23, 1925 in Bryan, Ohio. She passed away on August 27, 2024 at the age of 99 at Cedarhurst Assisted Living, Yorkville, II.
B.J. lived in Naperville, IL for over 50 years before moving to Yorkville. She was a graduate of Bryan High School and attended Ohio State University and Northwestern University.
B.J. began her journey in Journalism while still in high school. She was employed over the years by the Bryan Press, Columbus Dispatch (Ohio), Fort Wayne News Sentinel, and the Chicago Tribune. Many of her byline and feature articles can be found at the Harold Washington Library in Chicago. In her retirement she worked for Marshall Field's Fox Valley store in the candy department. She loved chocolate and nuts." She never met a nut she didn't like."
B.J. was married on March 29, 1947 to the love of her life James J. Merrill and they spent 51 beautiful years together until his passing in 1998. She always said, "51 years was not nearly enough." B.J. is survived by her daughters Michele (Kim) Aiken, Nancy (Todd) Willert, her grandchildren Thomas (Lisa) Aiken, Amber Lakomecki, Sarah (Keith) Torres, Kristin (Joe) Vanstrom, and her great-grandchildren Connor, Lauren, Sean, Austin, Jordan, Demario, Jocelyn, Evelyn, Harrison, and nieces and nephews in California and Montana.
Special remembrance to her dear friend and colleague Russell Freeburg (101 years young), former Chicago Tribune Washington Bureau Chief and former Chicago Tribune Managing Editor for a fun career, great conversations, and encouragement over the years, "hang in there."
B.J. was preceded in death by her father Clyde F. Ridenour, her mother Hazel (Snyder) Ridenour, and her brother Clyde Ridenour Jr. who was aboard the USS Oklahoma when it was bombed at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.
B.J. was a talented artist and painter using watercolor and acrylics. She loved collecting ducks. She especially loved trees. Anyone wishing to honor her memory, please plant a tree, "one that gives great shade and turns colors in the Autumn."
A special thanks to the staff at Cedarhurst Assisted Living and Three Oaks Hospice for their kind and compassionate care. Service and interment will be private at a later time in Ohio.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 24, 2025 Contact Information: Ride Illinois Dave Simmons, executive director (630) 216-9282 dave@rideillinois.org
Illinois Bike & Walk Summit coming to Springfield
Creating Connected Livable Thriving communities: Illinois Bike & Walk Summit Fosters Learning and Lobbying Among Advocates and Practitioners
Ride Illinois and its partner organizations are pleased to announce the 2025 Illinois Bike & Walk Summit. Three hundred advocates, professionals, and public officials will gather in Springfield (May 7-8, 2025) for an important conference to help shape the future of biking and walking across the state. The conference will take place over two days in Springfield. Day One - May 7 ● A welcome from Springfield Mayor Misty Buscher ● Breakout sessions with topics including: ○ Completing the Great American Rail Trail ○ Developing Low-Stress Bike Networks ○ Bike/walk legislation at the state and federal level: 2025 and beyond ● Keynote Speaker: Tom Flood ○ A bold and visionary advocate who uses striking design and messaging to challenge car-centric culture, and a champion spokesman of safer streets for all. ○ Flood's Presentation Topic: Reframing Road Safety. This presentation will highlight his work and its importance in challenging the narrative around active transportation and road safety.
Day Two - May 8 ● Lobby Day ● Workshops focused on: ○ Advocacy training ○ Trail development ○ Best practices for the planning, design, and incorporation of complete streets into transportation projects. ○ CM and PDH credits available. Dave Simmons, executive director of Ride Illinois, emphasized the new format of lobbying and advocacy: “It’s important that elected officials hear from their constituents. Lobby Day is an opportunity for Illinois residents to voice their concerns related to biking and walking in their community.” The legislative goals of Lobby Day include advocating for bills that will increase safety for pedestrians and bicyclists. Springfield Mayor Misty Buscher shared, “I am honored to greet attendees to the 2025 Illinois Bike & Walk Summit. I look forward to the summit and also look forward to making Springfield a more bike/walk friendly community.” With a strong foundation built on the educational and empowering sessions of day one, the day of lobbying will bring a buzz to Springfield with the hope of creating safer, more accessible active transportation options for all ages and backgrounds. The end goal being that active transportation becomes a viable and welcoming choice for everyone. Conference Details ● Illinois Bike & Walk Summit to convene in Springfield, May 7-8 with a focus on creating connected, livable, thriving communities. ● Highlights of the event include: ○ Keynote speaker Tom Flood ○ Inaugural lobby day ○ Breakout sessions ○ Workshops ○ Networking opportunities ● The 2025 Illinois Bike & Walk Summit will take place at the Wyndham Springfield City Center, conveniently located in the heart of Illinois’ state capital. ● Registration for the conference starts at the affordable price of $20! ● For more information and to register for this event, visit IllinoisBikeWalkSummit.org.
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