Obituaries
Be-Beh

BEACH, Catherine Eliza - Beardstown Gazette, Aug. 27, 1847
   Died the 23rd, Catherine Eliza, daughter of R.H. and Eliza Beach. She was 12 years old. (Was buried in the old Beardstown City cemetery, and the remains later moved to the present City cemetery.)

BEARD, Alma - Cass County Star-Gazette, Beardstown, Illinois, June 12, 2003
Alma Beard April 19, 1905 - June 12, 2003
   Alma Beard, 98, of Arenzville, died early Thursday morning, June 23, 2003, at Passavant Area Hospital in Jacksonville.
   She was born April 19, 1905, in Clayton, the daughter of Walter E. and Jessie L. Dickens Williamson. She married Robert Lee Beard on March 11, 1925, and he preceded her in death in 1974.
   She is survived by two sons, Gerald (wife, Maxine) Beard and Myron (wife, Millie) Beard, both of Arenzville; one daughter, Karan Lynn of Glendale, AZ; nine grandchildren, Tamara (husband, Ed) Wolfenbarger and Jan (husband, Steve) Foote, both of Florida, Robert (wife, Harriet) Beard of Jacksonville, Susan (husband, Bob) Anderson of Chicago, Ginny Hamilton and Darryl (wife, June) Beard, both of Arenzville; and 12 great-grandchildren.
   She was preceded in death by one grandson, Todd; one granddaughter-in-law, Sue Beard; two great-grandchildren; and one brother, Joseph Lee Williamson.
   Mrs. Beard enjoyed gardening and visiting with her many friends and family. She, along with her husband, Robert, operated several businesses throughout the years, most notably Beard Implement Company in Arenzville. She was a revered member of the Concord Christian Church in Concord.
   Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 15, at the Concord Christian Church in Concord, with burial in Arenzville East Cemetery.
   Memorial are suggested to Concord Christian Church or Cass County Home Health Agency. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.airsman-hires.com.

BEARD, Dearld - Journal-Courier, Jacksonville, Illinois, July 23, 2003
Dearld Beard - 1915-2003 - Chandlerville
   Dearld Beard, 88, of Mount Vernon, and formerly of the Chandlerville and Mason County, area and Milwaukee, died Wednesday evening, July 23, 2003 at St. Mary's Good Samaritan Hospital in Mount Vernon.Dearld Beard - 1915-2003 - Chandlerville.
   He was born May 15, 1915 in Sangamon County. He married Velma Holmes in July 1938 in St. Louis, and she preceded in death Jan. 2, 1989.
He is survived by a brother, Harold; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a sister.
   Mr. Beard served with the US Marine Corps during WW II. He was employed 40 years as a crane operator for Kerr McGee.
   Graveside services will be held 1 p.m. today at Bath Cemetery. There will be no visitation. Lintner-Buchanan Funeral Home of Chandlerville is in charge of arrangements. Messages of sympathy may be shared with the family online at www.buchananfuneralhomes.com.

BEARD, E.T. (Red) - Beardstown Illinoian, Nov. 27, 1873
   E.T. (Red) Beard, formerly of this city, died in Witchita, KS from a gunshot wound at the hands of Rowdy Joe, a keeper of a low dance house. Red obtained his name, due to long red hair that hung to his shoulders. (In a later article it was stated that Edward Beard is buried in Wichita, KS and his children where, Clara, Inez and Illion. He is the son of Thomas Beard.)

BEARD, Thomas - The Cass County Historian from Beardstown Gazette, November 26, 1849
   Died Wednesday the 26th of typhoid fever, Thomas BEARD, age 55.

BEATY, Mary - Hurley Funeral Home obituaries
Mary Beaty 1947-2010
   Mary Beaty, 62, of Chandlerville, passed away on Tuesday, April 6, 2010 at Heritage Manor East in Beardstown. She was born on June 20, 1947 in Springfield to Chester and Dorothy Beaty.
   She is survived by two brothers, Robert Beaty and Jimmie Beaty, both of Chandlerville and a nephew, Frankie Beaty, also of Chandlerville.
   Her parents precede her in death.
   She was a member of Mt. Olive Baptist Church. She was a homemaker.
   Graveside services will be held on Thursday, April 8, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at Rose Hill Cemetery in Petersburg.
   Memorial contributions may be made to her family.
   Online memorial messages may be left for her family at www.hurleyfh.com
   Hurley Funeral Home in Petersburg is in charge of arrangements.

BECKER, Daryl Jean - Submitted by Ernie Launer
   Daryl Jean Becker, 54, of Jacksonville, died Sunday, September 13, 2009, at St. John's Hospice in Springfield. She was born July 25, 1955, in Jacksonville, the daughter of Darrell and Betty Clark Ring. She married Steve Becker on October 17, 1976, in Woodson, and he survives.
   She is also survived by two sons, J.D. (fiance, Tina Franklin) Becker of Petersburg and Andy Becker at home; one granddaughter, Madison Grace Becker of Jacksonville; her parents, Darrell and Betty Ring of Ashland; four sisters, Betty Jo (husband, Don) Benz of Ashland, Wanda Lee (husband, Carlyle) Dame, Sally (husband, Wes) Long, and Bobbi (husband, Richard) Charpentier, all of Jacksonville, and one brother, John (wife, Linda) Ring of Ashland.
   Mrs. Becker was an administrative aide for the State of Illinois Secretary of State for nearly 13 years. She was previously involved in banking and automotive businesses. She attended Centenary United Methodist Church in Jacksonville. Mrs. Becker enjoyed music, flower and vegetable gardening, and the beach. She loved children, especially her granddaughter Madison.
   A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, September 16, 2009, at Centenary United Methodist Church in Jacksonville. Family will meet friends following the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society. Condolences may be left online at www.airsman-hires.com.

BECKER, Loma "Allene" - Journal-Courier, Jacksonville, Illinois, July 29, 2003
Lorna "Allene" Becker - 1917-2003 - Beardstown
   Lorna "Allene" Becker, 86, of Beardstown, died early Monday morning, July 28, 2003, at her residence.
   She was born July 7, 1917, in Browning, the daughter of James Whitcomb and Vera Hollenback Reiley. She married Milton O. Becker and he preceded her in death in 1969.
   She is survived by two daughters, Kathleen (husband, Allan) Allar of Beardstown and Barbara Kidder Fox of Rochester, Ind.; one son, Hayes B. of Macomb; six grandchildren, Brien Leslie of Portland, Ore., Karl Kidder of LaMirada, Calif., Jason Kidder, Barrett Kidder, Keith Kidder and Kenny Kidder, all of Rochester, Ind.; three great-grandchildren; one brother Orrin Reiley of Buellton, Calif.; and two sisters, Metta (husband, Harold "Bud") Landes of Beardstown and Jeanette Haig of Magnolia. She was preceded in death by one daughter, Holly Swanson; and six brothers, Jack, James, Jiles, Gene, Jerry and Kenneth Reiley.
   Mrs. Becker attended Browning Grade School and in 1931 her family moved to California. She graduated from Fairfax High School in Los Angeles in 1934. After the death of her husband she returned to school in Los Altos, Calif., received her degree as a licensed Vocational Nurse, and was employed as a charge nurse at a nursing home in California for 10 years. In 1979 she moved back to Illinois where she owned and operated "Second Hand Rose," an antique shop in Beardstown with her sister Metta Landes. She loved to dance and was nicknamed "Jitterbug Queen." She had a collection of over 300 teddy bears and she always enjoyed collecting, buying, and selling antiques.
   Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Thursday at the Sager Funeral Home in Beardstown, with burial at Browning Cemetery. The family will meet with friends from 9 a.m. until the time of the funeral service Thursday at the funeral home. Memorials have been suggested to the Arthritis Foundation.

BECKETT, Thomas W. - Buchanan & Cody Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc. - Internet Website
Thomas W. Beckett 1929-2009, Ashland
   Thomas W. Beckett, 79, of Ashland, IL and formerly of Champaign, IL went home to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Friday morning, February 27, 2009 at his residence surrounded by his family and friends.
   He was born April 20, 1929 in Champaign, IL; the son of Robert and Myrtle Wardlow Beckett. Tom met the love of his life, Kim Armstrong, in Bloomington, IL where they worked together at Bacon and Van Buskirk for three years. They married June 12, 1992.
   He is survived by his beloved wife, Kim; five children, Tamara Hines (husband, Butch) of Justin, TX, Gregory Beckett (wife, Deborah) of Phoenix, AZ, Timothy Beckett (wife, Maureen) of Arlington, TX, Lyndia Beckett (fiance, Joseph Vosburgh) of Tully, NY, and William Beckett of Seatlle, WA; eight grandchildren; two great grandchildren; five siblings, Robert Beckett of Stuart, VA, Larry Beckett (wife, Inez) of Mansfield, Fred Beckett of Las Vegas, NV, Molly Evans of Mansfield, and Mary Ellen Rexroad (Harrison) of Mahomet; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Thomas Beckett; and four brothers, George, Forest Eugene, James, and John Beckett.
   Tom served with the US Army during the Korean War stationed in Boston, MA assigned as a chauffeur for the Commanding General. He worked for Center Glass in CA for 15 years and later for Bacon and Van Buskirk Glass Company in IL for 40 years prior to his retirement in 1993. After retiring, Tom enjoyed woodworking and helping others remodel their homes. In 1998, Tom and Kim joined the Ashland United Methodist Church where Tom served as an usher and played his guitar with the choir for church services and sing-a-longs. He had a great love of reading the Bible and was in God's word daily. He had a profound love of music, his children and grandchildren, family, friends and extended church family.
   The family extends their deepest gratitude to the many friends and family who shared their support and strength with Tom and Kim, especially Pastor Roosevelt Smith II and their church family at Ashland United Methodist Church.
   Cremation rites have been accorded. Memorial services will be held 4:00 PM Wednesday, March 4, 2009 at the Ashland United Methodist Church in Ashland. The family will meet friends at the church from 3:00 PM Wednesday until the time of services. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts are suggested to Cass-Schuyler Area Hospice, Ashland United Methodist Church, or a charity of the donor's choice. The Buchanan & Cody Funeral Home in Ashland is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be sent online at www.buchanancody.com

BEDDOES, Arthur E. - Illinoian Star, Beardstown, Illinois, July 6, 1953
Arthur E. Beddoes dies
   Rev. Arthur E. Beddoes, who was pastor of the First Congregational church here for we years, died at the home of Mr. and Mrs. George Crook, near Joliet. Funeral services were held at the Son___ funeral Home in Joliet.
   Mr. Beddoes made his home with Mr. and Mrs. Crook. Mrs. Crook was a sister of Mrs. Beddoes.
   Rev. and Mrs. Beddoes moved to this city about 12 years ago from Rushville where he continued ministry work.
   Beddoes was active in the Beardstown Rotary club. He is survived by a daughter, Jean.

BEDDOES, Edith - Daily Illinoian Star, Beardstown, Illinois, April 1, 1949
Mrs. Beddoes of Rushville dies
   Mrs. Edith Beddoes, 82, wife of the Rev. Arthur E. Beddoes who was pastor of the Congregational church 18 years before his retirement to Rushville, died early this morning.
   The body was brought to Cline's funeral home and funeral arrangements will be announced tomorrow.
   Besides her husband, she is survived by her daughter, Mrs. Jean Adams, who returned from Germany several months ago. she was called here because of her mother's illness. The granson made his home with his grandparents while Mr. and Mrs. Adms were in Germany engaged in work in the occupational zone.

BEDDOES, Edith - Daily Illinoian Star, Beardstown, Illinois, April 2, 1949
Funeral to be held here
   Funeral services for Mrs. Edith Beddoes will be held at 10 o'clock Monday morning at Cline's funeral home. The Rev. Harrold Farrell, pastor of the Presbyterian church of Rushville will conduct the services.
   Burial will be in Chapman cemetery at Morris, Ill.
   Edith Mae Noble Beddoes was born in Covington township, New York, November 26, 1867, the daughter of James S. and Jane R. Noble.
   She was educated in Wheaton college, Wheaton, Ill.
She was united in marriage to Arthur E. Beddoes, April 20, 1897 in Evanston, Ill.
   He was pastor of the Congregational church here 18 years before his retirement several years ago, then moved to Rushville.
   Besides her husband, she is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Robert C. Adams, a grandson, Robert C. Adams, Jr. and a sister Mrs. George L. Crook of Minooka, Ill.
   She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother Walter R. Noble.

BEGGS, Edwin Upton - Virginia Gazette, Virginia, Illinois, January 31, 1980 - Submitted by Marcia Cox
   Edwin Upton Beggs, 71, of Montezuma, Iowa, died Jan. 22 at Grinnell, (Iowa) General Hospital.
   He was born in Ashland April 5, 1908, a son of Charles Sinclair and Helen Putnam Beggs.
   He married Mabel Sever who survives.
   Also surviving are a daughter, Mrs. Joy Sparrow of Zearing, Iowa; two sons, Daniel Beggs of Rochester, N.Y. and Paul Beggs of Tulsa, Okla.; 10 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren.
   Graveside services were held at 2 p.m. Jan. 25 in Ashland Cemetery.

BEGGS, Mrs. R. - Virginia Gazette, Virginia, Illinois, May 13, 1881
   A terrible accident last week resulted in the death of Mrs. R. Beggs of Ashland. She was kicked by a horse and died the third day.

BEGHTOL, Erma R.
Erma R. Beghtol, August 6, 1934-February 18, 2014
   Erma R. Beghtol, 79, of Jacksonville, IL and formerly of Beardstown, IL and Aurora, IL died Tuesday, February 18, 2014 at Passavant Area Hospital in Jacksonville.
    She was born August 6, 1934, the daughter of Wilmer and Norrine Roudebush Hopkins. She married Bentley Beghtol on December 24, 1950 in Rushville, IL and he preceded her in death on June 16, 1991.
   She is survived by two sons, Robert (Joyce) Beghtol of Aurora, IL and Randy (Lesa) Beghtol of Arenzville, IL; three grandchildren, Melissa Beghtol of Arenzville, Patti Beghtol of Aurora and Jason Beghtol of Tupelo, MS; and two great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; and one son, Richard Beghtol (surviving wife, Vicki of Tupelo, MS).
   Mrs. Beghtol owned and operated Erma’s Beauty Shop in her home for over 25 years and worked for Western Electric in Aurora. She attended Grace United Methodist Church in Jacksonville. Erma enjoyed reading, word searches and visiting with friends at Hardees in Jacksonville. Most of all, she loved her family, especially her grandchildren.
    Graveside services will be held 1:30 p.m. Sunday, February 23, 2014 at Beardstown City Cemetery. There will be no formal visitation. Memorials are suggested to the charity of the donor’s choice. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.airsman-hires.com. Sager Funeral Home in Beardstown is in charge of the arrangements.

BEHYMER, Gerald Ray - Journal-Courier, April 20, 2008 - Submitted by Marcia Cox
Gerald Ray Behymer, 1956-2008, Beardstown
   Gerald Ray Behymer, 51, of Beardstown died Thursday evening, April 17, 2008, at Culbertson Memorial Hospital in Rushville.
   He was born Oct. 13, 1956, in Jacksonville, the son of Thomas and Marilyn Allen Behymer. He married Denise "DeDe" Coats on Oct. 14, 2000, in Beardstown, and she survives.
   He is also survived by two sons, Derek and Aaron Coats, both of Beardstown; one daughter, Sarah Coats of Beardstown; four grandchildren, Kasey, Noah, Gabe and Jozie; two brothers, Ernie (wife, Amanda) Bishop of Beardstown and George (wife, Becky) Bishop of Mount Sterling; three sisters, Cindy Behymer and Shelia (husband, Matt) Brown, both of Beardstown, and Nora (husband, Steve) Heiderscheit of Arenzville; one half brother, Jason Behymer of Texas; stepfather, James Bishop of Beardstown; stepmother, Sylvia Behymer of Texas; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Tom Behymer and Marilyn Bishop; and one brother, Larry.
   Mr. Behymer graduated from Beardstown High School in 1974. He was previously employed at Excel Corporation in Beardstown for 14 years and was currently employed with Beardstown Services. He was an avid Cardinals baseball fan and enjoyed watching NASCAR racing and football games, mushroom hunting and fishing with his best friend, Donnie Meyer.
   Graveside services will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday at Messerer Cemetery near Frederick. The family will meet with friends from 9-10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Sager Funeral Home in Beardstown. Condolences may be sent to [email protected].

Please Contact Us!

[email protected]