Del Illene Beckman

Del Illene Beckman, 95, of Highland, IL, passed away peacefully at home on the morning of Tuesday, January 6, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family.

She was born at home in St. Louis, Missouri, on December 29, 1930, the daughter of Samuel and Evelyn (nee Rosenburg) Murray. Del graduated from Cleveland High School in St. Louis in 1949, and married Richard E. Beckman on June 6, 1952. “Dick” and Del were married for 56 years until his passing on August 28, 2008.

In the 1950’s, at a time when few women worked, Del became an X-ray technician. After moving to Highland, IL, she worked in pastoral care at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Highland, alongside Sister Mary Martin. She later served for 11 years as the Activity Director for Faith Countryside Apartments, where her creativity and compassion enriched the lives of countless residents. Del was honored as the Activity Director of the year by the State of Illinois.

She was also deeply involved in her community. Del served for more than a decade as an active leader in the Girl Scouts, guiding and mentoring young women with her characteristic energy and enthusiasm. She was a devoted member of the Highland Garden Club, where she shared her love of flowers, design, and the beauty of growing things. Her faith was central to her life, and she taught Sunday School classes for decades – from young children to senior adults – always with warmth and a genuine love for people.

Del’s love for adventure led her to do all sorts of remarkable things. She began scuba diving in the earliest days of the sport in the mid-1960’s, and she continued diving well into her later years, including a memorable dive on the Great Barrier Reef at age 65. She embraced every opportunity to explore, learn, and experience the world with courage and joy. Del visited all 50 states and countries across five continents. After retirement, she convinced her husband, Dick, to buy an RV, and together they spent six to eight months each year traveling the country. Del never stopped moving, learning, or looking ahead.

She often said that her greatest joy – and her most important accomplishment – was her family. As an only child and only grandchild, Del decided early in life that she wanted a big family of her own, being survived by her five children, 27 grandchildren, and 22 great-grandchildren.

Del was preceded in death by her parents, Samuel and Evelyn Murray; husband, Richard E. “Dick” Beckman; and son in law, Marcus Randall.

She is survived by her children, Jan (Steve) Hughes, Victorville, CA, Nancy (Greg) Kyrouac, Ashland, IL, Lisa (David) Trout, Highland, IL, Shari Randall, Springfield, IL, and William (Elane) Beckman, Acworth, GA; grandchildren, Emily Cross, Sonya (Travis) Wijnhamer, Alexandra Hughes, Nathan (Halen) Hughes, Andrew Hughes, Tim Hughes, Joel Hughes, Stephanie (Drew) Laza, Julia Hughes, Katerina Hughes, Peter Kyrouac, Joseph (Kayla) Kyrouac, Lilliane (Dylan) Downs, Hope (Brett) Cherry, Sara (Matt) Anderson, Nathan (Ellie) Trout, Alex Trout, Hanna (Ian) Durst, Maxwell Beckman, Vanessa Randall, Allison Randall, William Beckman, Adelaide (Malcom) Beckman, Henry Beckman, Evelyn Beckman, David Dias Do Val, and Isabella Silveira e Silva; great-grandchildren, Landen, Chance, Pepper, Daisy and Westley Winjhamer, Xavier Ramos, Briella Hughes, Jayden Jones, Jenelle Laza, Wyatt Hughes, Selah, Serena, Silas and Samuel Kyrouac, Elliana and Theodore Downs, Leon and Helene Cherry, Everett and Della Anderson, Nolan Trout, and Melody Dias Do Val.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Highland Garden Club of Highland, IL.

Visitation: Thursday, January 8, 2026, from 4:00 to 7:00 pm, and Friday, January 9, 2026, from 9:00 to 10:00 am, at Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL

Funeral Service: Friday, January 9, 2026, 10:00 am, at Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL

Interment: Tuesday, January 13, 2026, 10:00 am, at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, MO

Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL