79, of Bushnell
Jane Evangeline Beckman, 79, of Bushnell, Illinois, passed away at 5:45 p.m. on Monday, April 27, 2026, at The Villas at Bushnell.
She was born on October 10, 1946, in Fenton, Illinois, to Thomas and Evangeline (Vandermyde) Venhuizen. Jane married George Ira Beckman on June 8, 1968, in Morrison, Illinois. He preceded her in death on December 31, 2024.
She is survived by her two children: Greg (Nora) Beckman of Gig Harbor, Washington, and Rachel Beckman of DeKalb, Illinois; six grandchildren: Matthew, Lucille, Nicholas, and Anthony Beckman, and Abby and Tyler Calhoun; one brother, Jim Venhuizen of Idaho Falls, Idaho; one sister, Mary Venhuizen of Idaho Falls, Idaho; and her sister-in-law, Nancy Venhuizen of Morrison, Illinois.
Jane earned her Bachelor’s degree in Botany in 1968 from Western Illinois University. She served as a substitute teacher and as Bushnell Township Clerk for many years and also enjoyed playing bridge with close friends. She was a proud supporter of sports and the parents booster club at Bushnell Prairie City schools and could always be found, (and heard) at all home and away games for all of the sports Greg and Rachel participated in. Jane’s involvement with the Town & Country Festival in Bushnell started early. She pioneered the Pie and Cake Show/auction, and also started the Dog and Cat show. Her mandate to the local veterinarians who served as judges was that every child with a cat, kitten, dog or puppy gets a ribbon! (biggest ears, longest whiskers, pinkest tongue, etc.)
