Everett R. Beck

EVERETT R. BECK, 85, of Chester, Illinois, passed away at 9:10 am, Monday, March 10, 2025 at his residence.

He was born to the late Everett R. and Helen (nee Smith) Beck, Sr. on October 26, 1939 in St. Louis, Missouri.

Everett and Joyce (nee Neal) were married at Pleasant Dale Baptist Church in Palmyra, Illinois on October 15, 1961. They moved to Chester and began their family in July of 1962. Six Children were born to this union.

He attended the United Methodist Church in Chester from 1962-1975. Everett began employment at Illinois Security Hospital in 1961 as director of nursing and was a medical services coordinator thereafter at Chester Mental Health Center which opened in 1976 and he continued to serve until 1991. From 1975-1979 he served as director of Illinois Nurses Association and co-chaired the task force to revamp the nursing organization of Illinois with Dr. Imogene King, Professor of Medical Nursing of Loyola University of Chicago. Everett also served as Director of Randolph County Chapter Red Cross from 1982-1997, then as national disaster mental health counselor for American Red Cross from 1997-2006.

Everett served two terms as President of the Chester Lion’s Club 1975-1977. He also served as first president of Spartan Camp of Gideons International in 1982 and multiple times through 2012 he continued as an active office holder until the present. Everett also served as Sunday School Superintendent from 1976-1994 at Calvary Temple A/G and taught Sunday School and was an elder from 1998-2000. He then became a member and Deacon of First Baptist Church in Chester from 2002-Present. Everett was a Sunday School teacher of the 70’s class and fellowship coordinator from 2002-2018.

Survivors:

Wife:

Joyce Beck

6 Children:

June Marie (Archie) Ward

Rhonda Jo (Rob) Wingerter

Mark Douglas (Paula) Beck

Kimberly Lynn (Brian) de la Cruz

Kelly Jean (Rich) Cowan

Shelly Jeanine (James) Caban

13 Grandchildren:

Joel Eggemeyer, Madison Ward, Morgan Buatte, Loren (Anita) Misselhorn, Robbi (Lisa) Wingerter, Kali Wingerter, Lucas Beck, Garrett Beck, Nolen Beck, Seth (Becky) Doiron, Caleb (Jennifer) Ingram, Brennan Caban and Caris Cowan

10 Great Grandchildren:

Johnathan Misselhorn, Jack Misselhorn, Ashley Davis (Misselhorn), Marley Ben-Avi (Doiron), Ilan Ben-Avi (Doiron), Everett Wayne Ingram, Gideon Keith Ingram, Carter Augustine Wingerter, Arlo Charles Wingerter and Peter Sebastian Wingerter

Preceded in Death by: Parents, 2 Sisters – Maxine Fern Banks and Judy Faye Dove and 1 Brother – Ken Virgil Beck, Vietnam Marine Veteran

Funeral Service:

11:00 am, Friday, March 14, 2025

First Baptist Church, Chester, Illinois

Officiating:

Dr. Mike Fogerson

Interment:

Evergreen Cemetery

Chester, Illinois

Visitation:

Thursday – 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Friday – 9:00 am – 11:00 am

First Baptist Church, Chester, Illinois

In Lieu of Flowers, the family wishes for memorials to be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.