Rebecca Joan Beck-Sturm, 86, formally of Mt. Carmel, Illinois passed from this life on Sunday July 15, 2018 at 8:00 a.m. at the Wabash Christian Village in Carmi, Illinois.

Joan was born December 17, 1931 in Keensburg, Illinois the daughter of Leo and Ferris (Gray) Richardson.

She married John Harold Beck at the Methodist Parsonage in Bellmont, Illinois on June 17, 1949. Joan and John owned and operated Joan’s Craft and Gifts in Mt Carmel, Illinois for 11 years.  She also worked side by side with John for 33 years serving the Lord in song and service to the people of the United Methodist Southern Illinois District.  They enjoyed 54 years of marriage before his death on September 1, 2003.  Joan later met and married Lenard Sturm in Grayville, Illinois on January 5, 2008.  Their time together was shortened when he passed away on April 28, 2014.   Joan was a lifelong member of the Evangelical United Methodist Church in Mt. Carmel, Illinois. 

Joan is survived by four children, daughters Debbie (Verl) Buchanan of Bettendorf, Iowa, Becky (Ed) Bennett of Ft. Wayne, Indiana, Jill (Jack) Bradshaw of Carmi, Illinois, son John (Joan) Beck of Toledo, Illinois and stepdaughter Georgia (Tom) Davis of Dallas, Texas.  She had seven grandchildren Tim (friend Kristi Reich) Buchanan of Denver, Colorado, Jonnikka (Andy) Karrer of Bettendorf, Iowa, Chad (Sara) Bennett of Indianapolis, Indiana, Andrew (Deakin) Bennett of Ft. Wayne, Indiana, Courtney (Ryan) Goodner of Hoopeston, Illinois, Benjamin (friend Britany Barnes) Bradshaw of Carmi, Illinois, Keaton (Lacey) Bradshaw of Carmi, Illinois, and step grandchild Carey Davis of Dallas, Texas.  She was blessed with ten great grandchildren Tyler and Connor Buchanan, Grayson Karrer, Aiden Bennett, Brylea, Ace, Wyatt Goodner, Addison, Jaxon and Jett Bradshaw.  She also leaves sister-in-law’s Evelyn Richardson, Mary Lou Beck, Sheri Beck, Kay (John) Warthen, and several nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death along with John and Lenard were her parents, brother Wayne Richardson, sister Barbara Stephens, one infant grandchild and one infant great grandchild.

Services for Joan will be Thursday, July 19, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at Short Funeral Home, 527 N. Mulberry Street, Mt. Carmel, Illinois with burial in the Wabash Cemetery, Orio.  Friends may call Wednesday, July 18, 2018 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorials in remembrance of Joan can be made to the Alzheimer’s Unit at the Wabash Christian Village, 216 College Boulevard, Carmi, Illinois 62821.

Condolences may be made online at www.short-cunninghamfh.com  

Short-Cunningham Funeral Home is honored to serve Joan’s family.