Shirley J. Beckman

Shirley Beckman, 84, passed away on Monday, November 13, 2017 at Colonial Manor Nursing Home. She was born on January 7, 1933, the daughter of Wilfred H. and Katherine Fisher Smith in Eldorado, IL. She was married to Charles "Bud" Beckman who preceded her in death. She is survived by her children; Jim "Jabe" Hearrington of Danville, Connie (Dennis) Young of Danville, Rhonda Hearrington of Indianapolis, IN, and Rebecca Watson of Tilton. Also surviving include grandchildren; Amy, Angie, Amanda, and Darren and Great grandchildren; Gavin, Evan, Caleb, Olivia, Abby, Ava, Addison, Aryan, and Alexa. Siblings; Charlotte (Ron) Johnson of Catlin, Patricia Pierce of Catlin, and Mike (Norma) Smith of Ridgefarm. She was preceded in death by a son, Scott Hearrington; siblings, Ted Fisher, Wilfred "Skeeter" Smith, Stella Taylor, Phyllis Smith; a grandson, Andrew Armstead; a nephew, Larry Gibbs Taylor; a niece, Alisha Pierce; a great nephew, Christopher Jett; and her parents. She achieved scholastic recognition in her early years of school by being able to advance from 3rd grade to 5th grade. In high school Shirley worked at the Palace and Fischer Theatres. During her employment the movie King Kong premiered, a statue of King Kong was brought into Danville and she posed with the statue to promote the movie. She also worked at Steiger Furs on Main Street modeling furs for the clients. Later in life she worked retail, clerical, and home health care. Shirley was a loving, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and sister. She loved the outdoors, fishing, mushroom hunting, or roaming the woods around her home. She was an animal lover whether wild or tame, always feeding all her little friends or taking in stray cats and dogs. She loved shopping, many times making it an all-day event. Cooking and baking were her expertise, if you ever had an opportunity to taste it you would know why. Her most favorite times of the year were being surrounded by her family at Thanksgiving and Christmas, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She will be sadly missed by her family and friends, but will always be in our hearts. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be given in honor to Vermilion County Animal Shelter or Danville Humane Society. A graveside service will be held for family and friends at 11am on Monday, November 20, 2017 at Oak Ridge Cemetery in Catlin, IL. Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 3940 N. Vermilion St. in Danville has been entrusted with arrangements. Please join Shirley's family in sharing memories, photos, and videos on her tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.