Richard Beavers

CHARLESTON - Richard “Dick” Beavers of Charleston, Illinois passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, January 31, 2026, and went to spend eternity with Jesus. Dick was born November 12, 1940, in Westfield, Illinois the fourth child of Clarence “Johnny” and Winifred Beavers. His Dad passed away when he was ten. While he didn’t have many memories of his dad, he remembered listening to Cardinals baseball games while fishing with his dad and brothers. This is when his love for Cardinals baseball began and during his life, he saw his team win eight World Series Championships (sorry Cubs fans) and saw both Stan Musial and Albert Pujols play in person. What he missed in years with his dad, he made up for in years with his mom, who lived to be 99. He visited her every day and that is where he got his favorite phrases, “wait until you are my age” and “at my age I don’t have to do anything I don’t want to do.”

Dick graduated from Kansas High School in 1959 and on October 20, 1962, he married the love of his life Marjorie Tichenor. They enjoyed 63 years of marriage. Thirteen months later he became a dad for the first time when his son Rick was born, followed by Denny in 1966 and Julie in 1969.

Dick loved cooking, whether at a restaurant he ran in Ashmore when he was 20, at church-wide meals and funeral dinners at East Harrison St. Church of God, where he was a member, or for family holidays.

In addition to cooking and the Cardinals, Dick loved taking care of his yard, tending to his flowers and citrus trees both in his greenhouse and outside, watching and feeding the birds, coaching youth baseball, watching Illini basketball and football games, and traveling and visiting with friends. He attended a Super Bowl in Los Angeles, the MLB All-Star Game in St. Louis, and the World’s Fair in Knoxville, but the time spent with family was most important to him. He wanted everyone together and always wanted a full family picture.

He loved and made family vacations a priority including annual family trips to Florida and family vacations to Washington DC, New York City, Boston, Montreal, Toronto, Niagara Falls and Maine. After his kids were grown, he visited North Carolina Outer Banks, Philadelphia, Colonial Williamsburg, Graceland, Mount Rushmore, Montana, North Dakota, Zion National Park, Death Valley, the Grand Canyon and the Smoky Mountains.

Dick was a jokester and loved to tease but he was also quick to help anyone in need. Whether they were going through medical issues, needed transportation or needed a place to stay, his house was always open. He and Marj let many people live with them when there was a need. Whether it was a few nights or a few years, the door was always open.

Survivors include his wife Marj, sons Rick (Vickie) Beavers and Dennis (Cristi) Beavers of Collinsville and daughter Julie (Dave) Jones of Charleston, grandchildren Sierra (Rob) Besch, Kelsea (Luke) Rogers and Presley (Seth) Green of Charleston, Courtney (Jordan) Boatman, Luke (Breanne) Beavers, Morgan (Corey) Martin, Lindsay (Cody) Schafluetzel and Jade Beavers of Collinsville, Jared (Christy) Beavers of Troy, IL and Sophie (Austin) Ames of Champaign, and great grandchildren Mashayla, Brantley and Bella Besch; Kai, Cillian and Judah Rogers; and Margot and Axel Green of Charleston; Opie and Ellie Boatman; Brooks, Baron and Banks Martin; and Kenna and Cami Schafluetzel of Collinsville; and Baby Beavers of Troy on the way. Also surviving are his sisters-in-law Joan Beavers-Drake and Janice Beavers and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings Doris Jean Carpenter, Bud Beavers and Ronnie Beavers.

Dick will be greatly missed by those left behind but he is celebrating today in heaven with Jesus and reuniting with his family. We will see him soon for 2 Peter 3:8 tells us:

But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.

A celebration of life worship service will be held at East Harrison St. Church of God with Pastor Tom Toner officiating on Thursday, February 12 with visitation at 10:00AM and services following at 11:00AM. Arrangements: Harper-Swickard