Beverley Letcher

Beverley (Vetter) Letcher of Durand, Illinois died peacefully at home surrounded by her family on Sunday, November 12, 2023. Born June 18th, 1945, in Orlando Florida, Bev was the daughter of Elmer and Nancy (Minnear) Vetter. Bev graduated high school from Springfield High School and college from Eastern Illinois University. Bev married George Letcher on June 22nd, 1968, in Springfield, Illinois.
Bev was a lifelong educator who taught in Mattoon, IL and worked as a substitute teacher at Durand for 23 years. She also had a long career spanning 20 years as the Director of Special Services at the Regional Office of Education for Boone and Winnebago Counties. Bev was an active member of Durand United Methodist Church, serving on multiple committees for over 50 years. She was also a member of Phi Delta Kappa sorority in her two years at Carroll College.
George and Bev met at Eastern Illinois University and were married at the Presbyterian Church in Springfield in 1968. Bev's goal was always to make it to Wisconsin and have a boat. While that goal fell just a bit outside of where they started, George and Bev have had many adventures and a life well-lived in Durand for the past 50 years, spending three of them in Germany while George was on active duty in the Army. Bev considered this one of the greatest adventures of her life, allowing her to see much of western Europe with her young family and influencing future careers and travel for her children. They even celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in Germany in 2018.
Bev always thought that before we were born, we stood in line for the talents we would be given. Bev stood in many lines, but she stood in the motherhood line the longest. She was gifted with patience, a warm soft hug to soothe the soul and broken heart, many kisses for the scrapes and cuts, and the wisdom to explain the world to even the smallest ears. She fought for the health and welfare of her children relentlessly, despite what the insurance company said. She believed that there was a camp song for any occasion and felt strongly that the songs of her childhood should be sung, even if some of the words were forgotten along the way. She and George fostered a love of learning and when she didn't know the answer, she spent money on an encyclopedia set so those probing questions could be answered. She also believed in duty, even having her children perform a chore for "the good of the country." One of her greatest joys was her grandchildren. She loved reading them books and singing their praises to anyone who would listen.
As the oldest sibling in her family, she was the keeper of traditions and rejoiced in coming together for the holidays. She learned from her parents long ago to welcome anyone who needed a family and never was that more apparent than on the holidays. Her table, just as her parents', was always filled with family, friends, and those whom they "adopted" as family. One of her favorite traditions was a freshly cut Christmas tree. She would lovingly hang every ornament, reflect on the memory of each one, and then add tinsel. So much tinsel. She lived the mission of being Methodist, doing and serving in God's name in the small moments that mattered the most. To know Bev was to know the kindest soul who loved deeply and served humbly.
Survivors include her husband of 55 years, George Letcher, her children Kathy Letterman, Andy (Krista LeBaron) Letcher, Amy (Jeff) Wasil, and David (Alyssa) Letcher, as well as four grandchildren, Luke, Hannah, Tommy, and Ellie. Bev was preceded in death by her parents, Elmer and Nancy Vetter, her sister, Barbara Jo Ross, her son-in-law Bob Letterman and her in-laws George and Gig Letcher.
Bev will be buried in the Durand Cemetery and services will be provided by McCorkle Funeral Home Durand Chapel.
Memorial visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Friday, November 24, 2023 at McCorkle Funeral Home - Durand Chapel, 101 W. Main Street, Durand, IL. Memorial ceremony will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, November 25, 2023 at Durand United Methodist Church, 102 E. Main Street, Durand, IL with Pastor Brenda Byrne officiating. Final resting place to be Durand Township Cemetery. A visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until time of service, Saturday at the church.