Michael Robert Beehn passed away on August 5, 2022 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Chesterfield, MO, surrounded by his loving family, following complications from a diagnosis of Pulmonary Fibrosis less than two months earlier. He was 76 years old and living with his wife Judy in the home that they built together near Bluford, Illinois almost 50 years ago.Mike was born on April 11, 1946 to Bette and Robert Beehn in Olney, Illinois. Mike grew up in Wayne City where he met the love of his life Judy Ann Sledge by nearly colliding together on the stairs at Wayne City High School when they were just 15 years old. It was love at first sight, and they would be married for 56 years.Mike grew up in Wayne City working at the lumber yard ran by his father, at a time when small communities mirrored the image of a Norman Rockwell painting, and his childhood stories were like that of the ‘Andy Griffith Show’ sprinkled with a few youthful antics of an ‘Our Gang’ episode. Like the time when Mike and his brother David with family friend Steve created their own circus and charged local kids a nickel to attend. The circus finale concluded with Mike hitting Steve in the head with a sledgehammer while Steve wore an old WWII helmet that Mike’s father had from the war. Steve still claims Mike and David split the money, and all he got was knocked out with a concussion, but with all the years of embellishment – we’ll never know what really happened. After graduating from Wayne City High School and attending a few semesters at Southern Illinois University, Mike enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served as a B-52 Crew Chief in the 319th bomb wing of the Strategic Air Command stationed in Grand Forks, North Dakota. After God and his family and friends, Mike had no greater love than his love for planes, the Air Force and the fact his old B-52 is still flying today. Mike loved talking about planes and telling stories of launching B-52s during artic weather conditions as he did his part to help protect our country against Russians threats. While Mike loved the Air Force, he loved his wife Judy more, and they decided to make their lifelong home near Wayne City to be close to a large extended family. As Mike made a life for his family in Southern Illinois, he would go on to become a board director for the Southern Lumber Company and manage the Wayne City Lumber Yard for nearly 40 years. He enjoyed helping others design and build homes for their families. In his personal life, Mike loved his family, enjoyed working on his property and would use his artistic talents to create multiple paintings for family and friends. Anyone who knew Mike knew of a man with a kind heart, loving spirit, and exceptional creativity. He was a devoted member of the First United Methodist Church of Wayne City for over 40 years. He loved music of all kinds and was known to sing along with his favorite band The Eagles or hum the notes of band music that he learned to love playing on the clarinet almost 60 years before. Mike held other board positions, leadership positions in service organizations and was a member of the American Legion.Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Bette and Robert Beehn. His in-laws Lena and Marcene Sledge, and brothers-in-law Donald Sledge and Jim Smith, plus many beloved Uncles, Aunts, Cousins and friends. He is survived by his wife, Judy Beehn of Bluford, IL. His son Michael R. Beehn II and his wife Hayley of Arrington, TN. His daughter Melanie Gary and her husband Andy of Lake Saint Louis, MO. His Sister Margaret Smith of Salem, IL, and his brother David Beehn and wife Cherita of Wayne City, IL. Mike’s beloved grandchildren are Joshua Gary, Emily Beehn, Madeline Beehn and Ethan Gary. A Visitation will be held Wednesday, August 10, 2022 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at First United Methodist Church in Wayne City, Illinois. A Funeral Service will be held Thursday, August 11, 2022 at 10:30 am at First United Methodist Church with Reverend Bud Storey officiating. Interment will follow at Garrison Temple Cemetery in Wayne County, Illinois. Full Military Honors will be conducted at the cemetery by the Scott Air Force Honor Detail. Memorials may be made in Michael’s honor to the First United Methodist Church or Garrison Temple Cemetery. Call Hughey Funeral Home at 618-242-3348 or visit hugheyfh.com for further information.
