Timothy A. "Tim" Beck

MORTON – Timothy “Tim” Aaron Beck, 45, of Morton, formerly of Washington, IL, a highly respected and admired Peoria business owner and founder of Freedom Ink Tattoos, who was nationally recognized as an innovative tattoo artist, passed away Monday, January 22, 2024, at OSF St. Francis Medical Center, Peoria. His passing followed a prolonged battle to survive late diagnosed colon cancer, during which he found great strength in his Christian faith. In his final hours, Tim had close supportive friends and his loving wife beside him- at which time he described wondrous peace and was unafraid.

He was born on January 18, 1979, in Peoria, to James and Norma (Terwilliger) Beck and grew up in Creve Coeur, attending local schools and East Peoria Comm. H.S. Tim married his soulmate Charlotte J. Dimmick on October 4, 2004, at the First Baptist Church, Peoria. 

Surviving are his wife, Charlotte Beck of Morton; children, Lily, William and Leo Beck, all of Morton; father, James Beck of Creve Coeur; siblings, Veronica (Jim) Booth, Lynnette Beck, Angelina (Bill) Boyles all of East Peoria and Michael Beck of Creve Coeur. Also mourning his loss are in-laws and relatives of his wife who have been a part of Tim’s life many years. 

He was preceded in death by his sweet mother, Norma in 2015 and tragic loss of his brother, William, in 1988. 

Tim had God given creative, artistic and musical talent, which energized him and he exhibited from a young age and shared with all he had contact and continued developing these talents along with his faith through the years. As well, Tim was a faithful, loving and encouraging father and husband, of a most amazing and rare type, this was among his greatest positive traits. He showed love and respect to all, which has clearly been acknowledged in the hundreds of condolences written on Tim’s behalf. 

Tim Beck was an active tattoo artist for 26 years. He began his training at a shop in Pekin and at a shop in Elgin/Chicago area. He decided in 2006 to bring his passion to Peoria, where through a series of shop locations he eventually was able to create Freedom Ink Tattoos in the newly establishing Warehouse District, which he operated until the time of his death. 

Tim and family attended Summit Point Church in East Peoria, where Tim regularly served on the Worship team playing bass and drums during services. 

A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, February 3, 2024, at Summit Point Church in East Peoria, with Pastor Mike Klopfenstein and Pastor Tim Harkness officiating. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, February 2, at the church. A private family burial will take place at Hirstein Cemetery in Morton.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Beck Children Educational Fund in care of Morton Community Bank. 

Knapp-Johnson Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Morton is handling arrangements.

To leave an online condolence for the family visit www.knappjohnson.com.