TILDEN – Lois Irene Beckley nee Owens, 92, of Tilden passed away at 6:13 A.M., Monday, September 23, 2024, in Pinckneyville, Illinois. Lois was born October 13, 1931, in Longmont, Colorado, the daughter of Arthur and Emma (Ackroyd) Owens. She married William "Bill" Beckley June 16, 1950, by his grandfather, Reverend Frank McLean in Tilden, and they shared 67 years of marriage.

Lois was an active member of her community and church, she attended the Tilden United Methodist Church, and Tilden Presbyterian Church. She worked at Club 21 and the dress factory before becoming a full time homemaker and community volunteer working on many projects such as, serving as chairperson for the American Heart Association of Randolph County, the Tilden Athletic Association, to raise funds for playground equipment at the park, and worked to bring a Doctor to her community. Lois later worked at Sparta Aluminum plant, Reynold's bakery in Sparta, and retired from Bridal Originals.

Lois was an excellent cook who will always be remembered for her fried chicken, chicken and dumplings, chipped beef with gravy and Christmas cookies.  She also was an avid seamstress, sewing for her kids, sewing cheerleading uniforms, alterations on many formal dresses and sewing for others in the community. Lois did various kinds of needlework. Her home was often the site of enormous holiday gatherings with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, filling their home with love, laughter and spirited conversation/debates.

Lois is survived by her three children, Lyndon (Sandy) Beckley, of Swansea, IL; Teresa (Marlin) Wilson of Sparta, IL; and Becky Elliott of Mascoutah, IL; grandchildren Maria (Brett) Gehrig, Paul Beckley, James (Katie) Wilson, Nicole Elliott (Vidal Urrutia Serrato), Samantha (Darren) Rogers, and her great-grandchildren Jake Haberman, Paityn and Paige Gehrig, Destiny and Gauge Beckley, Emma and Ethan Elliott, David Urrutia-Elliott, Hank Wilson, Kane Rogers; and great-great granddaughter Myah Elliott-Woodruff.

Lois is also survived by one sister, Carol Dornin; three sisters-in-law, Wanda Campbell of Jacksonville, IL, Helen Beckley of Woodlawn, IL, and Wilma Beckley of Lindale, TX; one brother-in-law, James Beckley and many beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Mrs. Beckley is preceded in death by her husband, William "Bill" Beckley, her parents, Arthur and Emma Owens, two brothers, Clifford and Burnell Owens, one sister, Sharon Anderson, and son-in-law, David Elliott.

Funeral services will be on Friday, September 27, 2024, at 1:00 pm, at Tilden Presbyterian Church, Tilden, IL, with Rev. Dr. Dennis Hamilton officiating. Burial to follow at Tilden Cemetery, Tilden, IL. Visitation will be held on Friday, September 27, 2024, at Tilden Presbyterian Church, where friends may call from 10:00 – 1:00 pm. Memorials may be given to Alzheimer's Association Illinois Chapter and can be mailed in c/o Wilson's Funeral Home, PO Box 217, Steeleville, IL 62288.