Rebecca Sue Ledbetter, 52, of rural Peoria died Tuesday evening, Feb. 21, 2012, at her residence.
She was born Nov. 30, 1959, in Peoria, Ill. She was the daughter of Reent E. and Suzanne M. (Heinz) Johnson Sr. She married Emmett J. Ledbetter Jr. on July 6, 1985, in East Peoria, Ill.
She is survived by her mother of Bartonville, Ill.; six sisters and brothers, Gregory (Donna) Johnson of Bartonville, Debbie (Rick) Hubner and Pamela Bouchez, both of Pekin, Ill., Jessica Johnson of Peoria, and Roberta (J. DeWayne) Arington and Reent Johnson Jr., both of Bartonville, Ill. She has three stepchildren, Jeff (Becky) Ledbetter of Mapleton, Ill., Tracy (Brenda) Ledbetter of Glasford, Ill., and Anita (Tracy) Bohm of Manito, Ill. She also is survived by many nieces, nephews and stepgrandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her father.
She and her husband co-owned the E and B Machine Shop in Pekin, Ill., for 22 years, retiring in 2010. She also worked over 20 years at Komatsu in Peoria.
Their marriage was full of love and admiration for each other, working and enjoying life together. Rebecca was a master gardener and enjoyed photography. She was a very talented artist, painting many wildlife scenes. She and Emmett enjoyed traveling and caring for their dogs.
Funeral services will be Monday, Feb. 27, 2012, at 2 p.m. at the Davison-Fulton Bartonville Chapel. A visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday at the funeral home. Private burial services will be in the St. John Lutheran Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Glen Hill Evangelical Free Church, 125 Chestnut St., East Peoria, IL 61611.
You may view Rebecca's life story and create online condolences at www.davison-fulton-bartonvillechapel.com.
Published in Peoria Journal Star on February 25, 2012
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A husband and wife died of an apparent murder-suicide Tuesday (2/21/12) night in their home.
Emmett, 67, and Rebecca Ledbetter, 52, were pronounced dead at 7:45 p.m. in their home, according to Peoria County Coroner Johnna Ingersoll. Both appeared to have died from gunshot wounds, though autopsies will not be performed until Thursday.
Rebecca Ledbetter called police at 6:23 p.m. saying her husband had a gun. When police arrived to the home, both were found dead in the living area of the home.
"As far as I know, everything was just fine," said her mother, Suzanne Johnson. "I can't figure out why he did it - I didn't think that he was that kind of person."
The couple did not have a documented history of domestic violence, nor did either party apparently share fears with close family members.
But about 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Rebecca Ledbetter called 911 because her husband was shooting a gun inside the house and threatening her, according to reports.
A deputy with the Peoria County Sheriff's Department told dispatchers to have her leave the house while he was en route, but the woman refused. She apparently wanted to remain inside to protect her dogs.
Dispatchers heard two gunshots in quick succession at 6:35 p.m., then the line went silent.
The house was quiet when police arrived.
After calling out to the occupants and not getting a response, deputies approached and saw both bodies near the rear glass patio door. A gun was near Emmett Ledbetter. The screen door was closed, but someone had slightly opened the sliding glass door.
Emmett and Rebecca Ledbetter were pronounced dead at the scene at 7:45 p.m., according to Peoria County Coroner Johnna Ingersoll. Both appeared to have died from gunshot wounds, though preliminary causes of death won't be determined until autopsies are performed Thursday.
A release from Peoria County Sheriff Mike McCoy noted the deaths are being investigated as an apparent murder-suicide.
That outcome is one Johnson couldn't fathom for her daughter earlier in the day, when Rebecca Ledbetter picked her up to take her to a doctor's appointment.
"She would visit me (often), and I looked forward to seeing her," Johnson said. "She didn't let on that there was anything wrong."
Cause of Death: Murdered by husband Emmett.
Courtesy of the Peoria Journal Star.
***********************************************************
Autopsies performed Thursday morning showed a Mapleton man died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound while his wife also died of a gunshot, though not fired at such close range.
The findings are consistent with the theory that the deaths of Emmett, 67, and Rebecca Ledbetter, 52, were a murder-suicide, according to Peoria County Coroner Johnna Ingersoll.
Emmett Ledbetter died from a "contact-range" gunshot to the head, meaning the wound was consistent with self-inflicted gunshots. Rebecca Ledbetter also was shot in the head.
Toxicology testing will be performed, though the results of those tests will not be available for eight to 10 weeks, Ingersoll said.
Courtesy of the Peoria Journal Star.
She was born Nov. 30, 1959, in Peoria, Ill. She was the daughter of Reent E. and Suzanne M. (Heinz) Johnson Sr. She married Emmett J. Ledbetter Jr. on July 6, 1985, in East Peoria, Ill.
She is survived by her mother of Bartonville, Ill.; six sisters and brothers, Gregory (Donna) Johnson of Bartonville, Debbie (Rick) Hubner and Pamela Bouchez, both of Pekin, Ill., Jessica Johnson of Peoria, and Roberta (J. DeWayne) Arington and Reent Johnson Jr., both of Bartonville, Ill. She has three stepchildren, Jeff (Becky) Ledbetter of Mapleton, Ill., Tracy (Brenda) Ledbetter of Glasford, Ill., and Anita (Tracy) Bohm of Manito, Ill. She also is survived by many nieces, nephews and stepgrandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her father.
She and her husband co-owned the E and B Machine Shop in Pekin, Ill., for 22 years, retiring in 2010. She also worked over 20 years at Komatsu in Peoria.
Their marriage was full of love and admiration for each other, working and enjoying life together. Rebecca was a master gardener and enjoyed photography. She was a very talented artist, painting many wildlife scenes. She and Emmett enjoyed traveling and caring for their dogs.
Funeral services will be Monday, Feb. 27, 2012, at 2 p.m. at the Davison-Fulton Bartonville Chapel. A visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday at the funeral home. Private burial services will be in the St. John Lutheran Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Glen Hill Evangelical Free Church, 125 Chestnut St., East Peoria, IL 61611.
You may view Rebecca's life story and create online condolences at www.davison-fulton-bartonvillechapel.com.
Published in Peoria Journal Star on February 25, 2012
***********************************************************
A husband and wife died of an apparent murder-suicide Tuesday (2/21/12) night in their home.
Emmett, 67, and Rebecca Ledbetter, 52, were pronounced dead at 7:45 p.m. in their home, according to Peoria County Coroner Johnna Ingersoll. Both appeared to have died from gunshot wounds, though autopsies will not be performed until Thursday.
Rebecca Ledbetter called police at 6:23 p.m. saying her husband had a gun. When police arrived to the home, both were found dead in the living area of the home.
"As far as I know, everything was just fine," said her mother, Suzanne Johnson. "I can't figure out why he did it - I didn't think that he was that kind of person."
The couple did not have a documented history of domestic violence, nor did either party apparently share fears with close family members.
But about 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Rebecca Ledbetter called 911 because her husband was shooting a gun inside the house and threatening her, according to reports.
A deputy with the Peoria County Sheriff's Department told dispatchers to have her leave the house while he was en route, but the woman refused. She apparently wanted to remain inside to protect her dogs.
Dispatchers heard two gunshots in quick succession at 6:35 p.m., then the line went silent.
The house was quiet when police arrived.
After calling out to the occupants and not getting a response, deputies approached and saw both bodies near the rear glass patio door. A gun was near Emmett Ledbetter. The screen door was closed, but someone had slightly opened the sliding glass door.
Emmett and Rebecca Ledbetter were pronounced dead at the scene at 7:45 p.m., according to Peoria County Coroner Johnna Ingersoll. Both appeared to have died from gunshot wounds, though preliminary causes of death won't be determined until autopsies are performed Thursday.
A release from Peoria County Sheriff Mike McCoy noted the deaths are being investigated as an apparent murder-suicide.
That outcome is one Johnson couldn't fathom for her daughter earlier in the day, when Rebecca Ledbetter picked her up to take her to a doctor's appointment.
"She would visit me (often), and I looked forward to seeing her," Johnson said. "She didn't let on that there was anything wrong."
Cause of Death: Murdered by husband Emmett.
Courtesy of the Peoria Journal Star.
***********************************************************
Autopsies performed Thursday morning showed a Mapleton man died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound while his wife also died of a gunshot, though not fired at such close range.
The findings are consistent with the theory that the deaths of Emmett, 67, and Rebecca Ledbetter, 52, were a murder-suicide, according to Peoria County Coroner Johnna Ingersoll.
Emmett Ledbetter died from a "contact-range" gunshot to the head, meaning the wound was consistent with self-inflicted gunshots. Rebecca Ledbetter also was shot in the head.
Toxicology testing will be performed, though the results of those tests will not be available for eight to 10 weeks, Ingersoll said.
Courtesy of the Peoria Journal Star.
Rebecca Sue Ledbetter, 52, of rural Peoria died Tuesday evening, Feb. 21, 2012, at her residence.
She was born Nov. 30, 1959, in Peoria, Ill. She was the daughter of Reent E. and Suzanne M. (Heinz) Johnson Sr. She married Emmett J. Ledbetter Jr. on July 6, 1985, in East Peoria, Ill.
She is survived by her mother of Bartonville, Ill.; six sisters and brothers, Gregory (Donna) Johnson of Bartonville, Debbie (Rick) Hubner and Pamela Bouchez, both of Pekin, Ill., Jessica Johnson of Peoria, and Roberta (J. DeWayne) Arington and Reent Johnson Jr., both of Bartonville, Ill. She has three stepchildren, Jeff (Becky) Ledbetter of Mapleton, Ill., Tracy (Brenda) Ledbetter of Glasford, Ill., and Anita (Tracy) Bohm of Manito, Ill. She also is survived by many nieces, nephews and stepgrandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her father.
She and her husband co-owned the E and B Machine Shop in Pekin, Ill., for 22 years, retiring in 2010. She also worked over 20 years at Komatsu in Peoria.
Their marriage was full of love and admiration for each other, working and enjoying life together. Rebecca was a master gardener and enjoyed photography. She was a very talented artist, painting many wildlife scenes. She and Emmett enjoyed traveling and caring for their dogs.
Funeral services will be Monday, Feb. 27, 2012, at 2 p.m. at the Davison-Fulton Bartonville Chapel. A visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday at the funeral home. Private burial services will be in the St. John Lutheran Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Glen Hill Evangelical Free Church, 125 Chestnut St., East Peoria, IL 61611.
You may view Rebecca's life story and create online condolences at www.davison-fulton-bartonvillechapel.com.
Published in Peoria Journal Star on February 25, 2012
***********************************************************
A husband and wife died of an apparent murder-suicide Tuesday (2/21/12) night in their home.
Emmett, 67, and Rebecca Ledbetter, 52, were pronounced dead at 7:45 p.m. in their home, according to Peoria County Coroner Johnna Ingersoll. Both appeared to have died from gunshot wounds, though autopsies will not be performed until Thursday.
Rebecca Ledbetter called police at 6:23 p.m. saying her husband had a gun. When police arrived to the home, both were found dead in the living area of the home.
"As far as I know, everything was just fine," said her mother, Suzanne Johnson. "I can't figure out why he did it - I didn't think that he was that kind of person."
The couple did not have a documented history of domestic violence, nor did either party apparently share fears with close family members.
But about 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Rebecca Ledbetter called 911 because her husband was shooting a gun inside the house and threatening her, according to reports.
A deputy with the Peoria County Sheriff's Department told dispatchers to have her leave the house while he was en route, but the woman refused. She apparently wanted to remain inside to protect her dogs.
Dispatchers heard two gunshots in quick succession at 6:35 p.m., then the line went silent.
The house was quiet when police arrived.
After calling out to the occupants and not getting a response, deputies approached and saw both bodies near the rear glass patio door. A gun was near Emmett Ledbetter. The screen door was closed, but someone had slightly opened the sliding glass door.
Emmett and Rebecca Ledbetter were pronounced dead at the scene at 7:45 p.m., according to Peoria County Coroner Johnna Ingersoll. Both appeared to have died from gunshot wounds, though preliminary causes of death won't be determined until autopsies are performed Thursday.
A release from Peoria County Sheriff Mike McCoy noted the deaths are being investigated as an apparent murder-suicide.
That outcome is one Johnson couldn't fathom for her daughter earlier in the day, when Rebecca Ledbetter picked her up to take her to a doctor's appointment.
"She would visit me (often), and I looked forward to seeing her," Johnson said. "She didn't let on that there was anything wrong."
Cause of Death: Murdered by husband Emmett.
Courtesy of the Peoria Journal Star.
***********************************************************
Autopsies performed Thursday morning showed a Mapleton man died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound while his wife also died of a gunshot, though not fired at such close range.
The findings are consistent with the theory that the deaths of Emmett, 67, and Rebecca Ledbetter, 52, were a murder-suicide, according to Peoria County Coroner Johnna Ingersoll.
Emmett Ledbetter died from a "contact-range" gunshot to the head, meaning the wound was consistent with self-inflicted gunshots. Rebecca Ledbetter also was shot in the head.
Toxicology testing will be performed, though the results of those tests will not be available for eight to 10 weeks, Ingersoll said.
Courtesy of the Peoria Journal Star.
She was born Nov. 30, 1959, in Peoria, Ill. She was the daughter of Reent E. and Suzanne M. (Heinz) Johnson Sr. She married Emmett J. Ledbetter Jr. on July 6, 1985, in East Peoria, Ill.
She is survived by her mother of Bartonville, Ill.; six sisters and brothers, Gregory (Donna) Johnson of Bartonville, Debbie (Rick) Hubner and Pamela Bouchez, both of Pekin, Ill., Jessica Johnson of Peoria, and Roberta (J. DeWayne) Arington and Reent Johnson Jr., both of Bartonville, Ill. She has three stepchildren, Jeff (Becky) Ledbetter of Mapleton, Ill., Tracy (Brenda) Ledbetter of Glasford, Ill., and Anita (Tracy) Bohm of Manito, Ill. She also is survived by many nieces, nephews and stepgrandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her father.
She and her husband co-owned the E and B Machine Shop in Pekin, Ill., for 22 years, retiring in 2010. She also worked over 20 years at Komatsu in Peoria.
Their marriage was full of love and admiration for each other, working and enjoying life together. Rebecca was a master gardener and enjoyed photography. She was a very talented artist, painting many wildlife scenes. She and Emmett enjoyed traveling and caring for their dogs.
Funeral services will be Monday, Feb. 27, 2012, at 2 p.m. at the Davison-Fulton Bartonville Chapel. A visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday at the funeral home. Private burial services will be in the St. John Lutheran Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Glen Hill Evangelical Free Church, 125 Chestnut St., East Peoria, IL 61611.
You may view Rebecca's life story and create online condolences at www.davison-fulton-bartonvillechapel.com.
Published in Peoria Journal Star on February 25, 2012
***********************************************************
A husband and wife died of an apparent murder-suicide Tuesday (2/21/12) night in their home.
Emmett, 67, and Rebecca Ledbetter, 52, were pronounced dead at 7:45 p.m. in their home, according to Peoria County Coroner Johnna Ingersoll. Both appeared to have died from gunshot wounds, though autopsies will not be performed until Thursday.
Rebecca Ledbetter called police at 6:23 p.m. saying her husband had a gun. When police arrived to the home, both were found dead in the living area of the home.
"As far as I know, everything was just fine," said her mother, Suzanne Johnson. "I can't figure out why he did it - I didn't think that he was that kind of person."
The couple did not have a documented history of domestic violence, nor did either party apparently share fears with close family members.
But about 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Rebecca Ledbetter called 911 because her husband was shooting a gun inside the house and threatening her, according to reports.
A deputy with the Peoria County Sheriff's Department told dispatchers to have her leave the house while he was en route, but the woman refused. She apparently wanted to remain inside to protect her dogs.
Dispatchers heard two gunshots in quick succession at 6:35 p.m., then the line went silent.
The house was quiet when police arrived.
After calling out to the occupants and not getting a response, deputies approached and saw both bodies near the rear glass patio door. A gun was near Emmett Ledbetter. The screen door was closed, but someone had slightly opened the sliding glass door.
Emmett and Rebecca Ledbetter were pronounced dead at the scene at 7:45 p.m., according to Peoria County Coroner Johnna Ingersoll. Both appeared to have died from gunshot wounds, though preliminary causes of death won't be determined until autopsies are performed Thursday.
A release from Peoria County Sheriff Mike McCoy noted the deaths are being investigated as an apparent murder-suicide.
That outcome is one Johnson couldn't fathom for her daughter earlier in the day, when Rebecca Ledbetter picked her up to take her to a doctor's appointment.
"She would visit me (often), and I looked forward to seeing her," Johnson said. "She didn't let on that there was anything wrong."
Cause of Death: Murdered by husband Emmett.
Courtesy of the Peoria Journal Star.
***********************************************************
Autopsies performed Thursday morning showed a Mapleton man died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound while his wife also died of a gunshot, though not fired at such close range.
The findings are consistent with the theory that the deaths of Emmett, 67, and Rebecca Ledbetter, 52, were a murder-suicide, according to Peoria County Coroner Johnna Ingersoll.
Emmett Ledbetter died from a "contact-range" gunshot to the head, meaning the wound was consistent with self-inflicted gunshots. Rebecca Ledbetter also was shot in the head.
Toxicology testing will be performed, though the results of those tests will not be available for eight to 10 weeks, Ingersoll said.
Courtesy of the Peoria Journal Star.
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