Dr. Jerry Louis Beguelin

Dr. Jerry Louis Beguelin, 84, of Centralia passed away on Thursday, July 6th, 2023 at Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon.
Jerry was born on July 8th, 1938 in rural Centralia, son of Louie Beguelin and Evelyn (Fairchild) Beguelin. He is survived by his loving wife Joan Beguelin, his children Adam Beguelin and his wife Loan of Puerto Rico; Dawn Brown and her husband Pat of Phoenix, Arizona, Chad Beguelin and his husband Tom of Bridgehampton, New York and daughter Maria Beguelin of Centralia, Illinois. Jerry was blessed with five grandchildren: Jade and Jared Beguelin and Julia, Louis and Audra Brown. His beloved brothers Henry and Ragene preceded him in death. He is survived by Henry's wife Sandy as well as his sisters Juana Beguelin and her husband Dave Whitfield of Carson City, Nevada and Carol Wormus and her husband Gary of Ft. Collins, Colorado, his brother-in-law Dave Rugowski and wife Jane of Mt. Vernon, Illinois and brother-in-law Dr. Jim Rugowski and wife Chris of Stone Lake, Wisconsin, along with several nieces and nephews.
Beguelin graduated from the Washington University School of Medicine in 1962. While attending Washington University he interned at Barnes Jewish Hospital. After graduation, with the assistance of the Ruritan Club, he started his practice in Irvington in July, 1964. Until that time Irvington had been without the services of a physician since 1957. Beguelin provided over 50 years of service at St. Mary's Hospital, many of them as Medical Director of the Emergency Department. He was also instrumental in recruiting many of our local physicians to the area. He served as Medical Director of Centralia Manor for many years until his passing.
Beguelin was a faithful member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Centralia where he served as Lector, Eucharistic Minister and Greeter for many years. He was also a member of the Finance Committee.
His many accolades include 2004 Medical Director of the Year, Centralia Manor, 2005 Rural Health Practitioner of the Year, 2014 Rural Physician of Excellence Award and the 2014 Grand Marshal of the Centralia Halloween Parade.
He will be remembered as a dedicated physician who was proud of his small town roots. Jerry was determined to serve his community as a health care professional and was passionate about providing compassionate care to his community. His entrepreneurial spirit led him break new ground in many areas including telemedicine, HMO's and the role of nurse practitioners.
A Funeral Mass for Dr. Jerry L. Beguelin will be held Thursday, July 13, 2023 at 12:30 pm at St. Mary Catholic Church in Centralia with Father Steve Pautler officiating with Monsignor David Darin assisting. A Visitation will be held at St. Mary Catholic Church from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm at the Church before the time of service on Thursday. In Memory of Dr. Beguelin Memorials can be made to St. Mary Catholic Church or any local animal shelter and will be accepted by the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home at 235 North Sycamore Street in Centralia, Illinois 62801 (618) 532-3523, who is honored to be of service to the Beguelin family. Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.sutherlandfuneralhome.com and the Funeral Home's Facebook page.