James Beckett

James R. Beckett, 88, of Blue Mound, IL, passed away on Saturday, May 16, 2015, in his home. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday, May 21, at Blue Mound United Methodist Church, Blue Mound, IL, with visitation 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, May 20, at the church. Burial will be in Hall Cemetery, Blue Mound. Memorials may be made to: Blue Mound United Methodist Church. Jim Beckett was born on August 21, 1926, in Blue Mound, Illinois and enjoyed over eight decades of farm life, most of which was spent on the Beckett family land which has over 155 years of continuous family production. Jim served as a pharmacist mate in the United States Navy during 1945-46, including a tour at Johnson Island, approximately 700 miles southwest of Honolulu, Hawaii; he also participated in the Blue Jacket Choir at the Great Lakes Naval Station. After the war, Jim enrolled in Iowa State University and energetically participated in the Iowa State Singers and College Quartet; he graduated with a Bachelor of Sciences in Animal Husbandry and served as an Iowa Agricultural Extension agent for two years before returning to farm with his father in 1951. Jim was active in pork production, promotion and marketing, served on the Illinois Pork Producers Board for seven years and received the 1978 Superior Pork Producer Award and 1979 Pork Pusher Award. Jim led the industry for leaner pork and developed a strong retail and wholesale business marketing his own special-bred hogs known as Beckett Farms Pork and Beckett Farms all natural Barbeque Sauce. Active in his community, Jim was a member of the Blue Mound Community School Board, trustee for Macon County Regional Education, auditor and trustee for Pleasant View Township for sixteen years. He also served as a member of the Macon County Soil Conservation Committee, Director of the Macon County Fair Board, Chairman of the Macon County Agricultural Extension Committee and Drainage Commissioner for two districts in Pleasant View Township. Jim was a lifelong member of the Blue Mound United Methodist Church, served on various church committees and was a leader in choir activities throughout his life, with many a solo and caroling for the elderly. He was always quick to lend a hand, deliver a meal during times of trouble and did so with a smile and all sincerity. While he knew hardship, his spirit and passion for life would not be dimmed. Jim worked hard and enjoyed many fun times and great food with family and friends throughout his life, and was known to share odes and poems for the guests of honor. He was uniquely special in his steady comfort and love as husband, father, grandfather, relative and friend. Jim is survived by cherished wife Charlene, daughter Beth Van de Water and husband Dr. Don and grandson Ethan James, son Kurt Beckett, wife Susan and grandson Mason Harris, step-son Chris Warner, daughter-in-law Carol and grand-children Cassidy and Colby, step-son Scott Warner, daughter-in-law Cynthia and grand-children Hunter and Lydia, second wife Cindy Beckett and step-son Ken, daughter-in-law Laurie and grandson Brian. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, J. Ralph & June Beckett, brothers John and Tom, sister Virginia and brother-in-law Larry Soland, first wife Nancy and sons John A. and William (Billy). "
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