John Booth Bean

John Booth Bean, 97, formerly of 938 S. 24th St., died Friday (May 6, 2011) in Bickford Cottages.

He was born April 5, 1914, in Decatur, a son of Thomas Hammond and Ethel Corrinne Booth Bean. On June 19, 1937, he married Ruth Elizabeth King in Decatur. She died Nov. 2, 1986.

He was a 1932 graduate of Decatur High School. In 1936 he graduated with a bachelor's degree from Millikin University in Decatur. In 1973, he received his master's degree from Southern Illinois University.

John worked for Moorman's, Monroe Chemical Co. and the Illinois State Division of Rehabilitation. He was the owner of Bean Hobby and Toy Shop.

John was a member of Vermont Street United Methodist Church since 1937. He was a member of the Beta Chapter of Tau Kappa Epsilon. He belonged to the Quinssippi Stamp Club and numerous philatelic organizations. John was the first president of the Quincy Jaycees. As such, he was also a member of the Exhausted Roosters. He was president of the Quincy Chamber of Commerce when it received its first All-American City title. He was a member of the Quincy Elks and a member of the Quincy German Club. In addition to stamp collecting, he enjoyed playing duplicate bridge and fishing for salmon in Alaska.

Survivors include two children, Jackie Bean Oberg and her husband, Don, of Kenai, Alaska, and Tom Bean and his wife, Lia, of Casa Grande, Ariz.; two grandchildren, Jonathan Oberg and his wife, Gina, of Ottawa, Kan., and David Oberg and his wife, DJ Stoeberl, of Crozet, Va.; two great-granddaughters, Kendra Veronica Oberg of Crozet, Va., and Kayleigh Elizabeth Oberg of Ottawa, Kan.; a sister, Mary Mills of Baton Rogue, La.; four nieces; two nephews; and several great-nieces and great-nephews; a very special friend of many years, Marion Grimmer and her daughter, Barb Rowell; also a very large extended family from the entire Bickford Cottage, staff, residents and their families, including Connie Fielding, Sue Ostermiller, Lisa O'Brien, Steve Scott, Roxie Bunk and Kim Lenz.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Thomas Bean Jr.; and a sister, Sarah Black.

SERVICES: 10:30 a.m. Tuesday in Vermont Street United Methodist Church with Dr. Scott Grulke and the Rev.George Youtzy conducting. Burial will be in Greenmount Cemetery.

VISITATION: 4-7 p.m. Monday in the Hansen-Spear Funeral Home.

MEMORIALS: Blessing Foundation for Hospice.

ARRANGEMENTS: Hansen-Spear Funeral Home.

WEBSITE: www.hansenspear.com

Condolences may be expressed online at www.whig.com.