Staunton Star - Times - Published in the Interest of the Staunton Community for Over 143 Years

Bernean R. Lovejoy, 97, of Staunton, Ill., died on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022, at Heritage Health of Gillespie. She was born on May 19, 1925, in Sorento, the daughter of Joseph and Bertha (VanLeuwen) Bilyeu. She married Leonard L. Lovejoy on Nov. 7, 1942, in St. Charles, Mo. He preceded her in death on Feb. 16, 2012.

Bernean was a homemaker and was also owner/beautician at B's Beauty Shop and she was also a waitress at the Gardens Restaurant, Sunset Restaurant, and Rucker's. She was an avid reader of books and magazines. Her family remembers her taking care of their Grandma Lovejoy for many years. Bernean attended Life Harvest Ministries in Wilsonville.

She is survived by her daughter, Pamela (Dan Sr.) Michki of Staunton; her son, Timothy (Lesley) Lovejoy of Bunker Hill; four grandchildren, Dan Michki Jr. of Chicago, Terri Michki, her friend Wendy Witworth of Benld, Jessica (Nick) Thyer of Bunker Hill, and Alexandra (Taylor) Watson of Gillespie; four great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Bernean was preceded in death by her parents and her husband; three brothers, Paul, Randall, and Victor Bilyeu; sister, Iola Dudley and Iola's husband Lemar "Ging" Dudley; and sisters-in-law, Wanda Bilyeu and Virginia Bilyeu.

Funeral services were held Saturday, Sept. 17, at Williamson Funeral Home in Staunton with Rev. Steve Martin, pastor of Life Harvest Ministries officiating. Burial was in Spangle Cemetery near Staunton.

Memorials may be made to Spangle Cemetery or to Life Harvest Ministries. Lesicko Funeral Home of Livingston and Williamson Funeral Home of Staunton were in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be left online at http://www.lesickofuneralhome.com.