A funeral will be held Thursday, October 21, 2021 for 78-year-old Kenneth Edward Beam of Chester, Illinois, who passed away at 8:49 pm, Friday, October 15, 2021 at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, O’Fallon, Illinois.
He was born December 4, 1942 to James Edward and Mary Frances (nee Caraway) Beam who both preceded him in death.
Kenneth married Wendy Beam December 30, 1994 at St. John Lutheran Church in Bremen, Illinois; she survives in Chester.
He is also survived by his children: Debbie (Terry) Winkelman, Annette (Greg) Jones, Mark (Gen) Beam, and Kevin Beam, all of Chester, Ill., and Shaun (Megan) McCarty of Ellis Grove, Ill.; three siblings: Rick (Debbie) Stirnaman of Kankakee, Ill., and Patty (Mike) Paris and Scott Stirnaman, both of Joliet, Ill.; numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
He was also preceded in death by his stepfather: Carl Stirnaman and a sister: Mary Ann Milevac.
He had worked as a deputy sheriff in the Randolph County Sheriff’s Department for 30 years and retired in 2000.
Kenneth was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Chester.
He enjoyed riding motorcycles, fishing, model airplanes and mushroom hunting.
Kenneth loved talking to people and spending time with his family.
Visitation will be 9-11 a.m. Thursday, October 21, 2021 at the Pechacek Funeral Homes, Chester, Illinois.
A funeral for 78-year-old Kenneth Edward Beam of Chester, Illinois, will be held at noon Thursday, October 21, 2021 at the Pechacek Funeral Homes, Chester, Illinois. Dr. Mike Fogerson will officiate.
Interment will be in the Evergreen Cemetery in Chester, Illinois.
Memorials may be made to the Randolph County Sheriff’s Department.