Julia Beck's Obituary
Julie 'Judy' Ann Beck passed away Friday, June 8, 2012 at her home with her husband at her side after fighting breast cancer. Per her request she will be cremated and there will be a private family memorial service in July.
Julie was born to John Cleo Willis and Ethel Mae (Tucker) Willis on April 8, 1941. She attended Decatur High School and also obtained several credit hours from Millikin University. She married William Joe Norton on February 23, 1958. While they lived in Dallas, TX, she worked at the Dallas Morning News and modeled. After a few years they moved back to Central Illinois to be closer to family. They were very close to their five nieces which they enjoyed. They had one daughter, Jennifer Norton. They divorced after twenty-five years of marriage.
She married Ray Beck on June 29, 1985. Their large joined family now included one son and five daughters.
Julie started working at Illinois Bell and was able to take advantage of early retirement from AT&T. She enjoyed over 20 years of retirement and started her own business, Julie's Antiques, with her husband's assistance. She had been in the Elwin Antique Mall for many years. Julie and Ray were able to travel to many places over the years enjoying life.
She is survived by her husband, Ray, her daughter, Jennifer Norton of Buffalo, IL, grandsons PFC Shawn Mendenhall of Ft. Stewart, GA and his fiancé Samantha 'Shelby' White of Aurora, IL, Noah Mendenhall of Buffalo, IL. She is also survived by her step-children Carol (Steve) Crawford of Carlinville, IL and daughter Stephanie, Luann (Tom) Hennessy of Chicago, IL and sons Tommy, Kevin, Jake, and Joey, Georgia (Bruce) Gass of Illiopolis, IL and daughter Hannah (fiancé Ryan Lipka), and April (Randy) Hiser of Niantic, IL and children SGT. Kyle (Jamie) Hiser, Jessica Hiser, Lucy Woodside, PFC Shane Hiser and Collin Hiser. She is also survived by her brother Roger Willis of Decatur, IL and her nieces Nancy Hall, Judy (Joe) Marrin, Cindy (Woody) David, and Mindy (Mark) Collins and their mother Gretchen Evans.
She leaves behind her loyal dog Willis and cats Little Bit and George.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her niece Wendy Sue Willis, her step-son Chris Beck, and two step grandchildren Jessica and Raychel Gass.
The family would like to thank everyone for all of their support. Special thanks to Dorothy and Jerry Royce, Karla and Olivia Griesheim, Jim and Elaine Sheaffer, Richard Mendenhall, Molly Rude, Jackie Kitchen, Leslie Martin, Dick Ballinger, Liz and Tim Wanless, DMH Hospice and Jim, RN.
Memorials may be made to Best Friends Animal Society, 5001 Angel Canyon Road, Kanab, Utah, 84741-5000 or to DMH Hospice, 3122 Brentwood Circle, Decatur, IL 62526.
Julie was always a very positive, loving and giving person. She was always grateful for the life she had. 'Be patient in afflictions, for thou shall have many; but endure them, for lo, I am with thee, even unto the end of thy days.'
The family of Julia A. Beck is being served by the Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home, 2091 N. Oakland Ave. Decatur, IL. Please view the online obituary, send condolences, and share memories at www.gracelandfairlawn.com.
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