Beacon Hill Retirement Community in Lombard, Illinois. Lucille was born on April 27,
1919, on a farm in Jasper County, Illinois to parents Lawrence and Oral (Parr) Cummins.
She had one sister, Lenore (Jim) Snearly, who, along with her parents, preceeded Lucille
in death.
After attending Eastern Illinois State Teachers College in Charleston, IL, Lucille
began teaching in the same one-room schoolhouse she attended as a child. Lucille
enjoyed teaching elementary school until her retirement in 1979.
Lucille attended Newton High School, where she met a handsome member of
the football team, Burton Bevis. They were married in Newton, IL, on April 6, 1941, prior
to Burt’s service in the U.S. Navy during World War !!. They built their first house in East
Peoria after the war, then moved to Peoria in 1959 where they lived for the next 53
years. In 2012 Burt and Lucille resettled in Lombard to be closer to family. They
celebrated 71 years of marriage before Burton’s passing in 2012.
Lucille loved to be active and pursued a variety of passions. She enjoyed crafts
that included basket making, needlepoint, knitting, and hand-quilting. She created over
200 quilts and wall hangings throughout her life and spent many hours making lap quilts
for seniors and children’s caps used at the Methodist cancer center. Lucille was also a
golfing enthusiast. She organized the Peoria Senior Women’s Golf League after she
retired. Playing bridge and volunteering for the Peoria Convention and Tourist Center
rounded out her interests.
Lucille’s favorite activity, though, was traveling with her husband. They spent
many winters in Florida and Texas and travelled throughout the U.S., Canada, and
Mexico in their Avion trailer. They enjoyed international travels to China, Russia, Brazil,
Africa, and many other countries.
Lucille was dedicated mother to Larry (Shelly) of Satellite Beach, FL, Jennice
(Larry) Fritz of Elmhurst, IL, and Kevin (Arlene) of St. Paul, MN. She was proud
grandmother to Amy (Chad) Janken, Martin (Beth), Lindsey (Rich) Zerbian, Lillian, Charlie
(Nina), and Ellen (Nick) Karalis and great-grandmother to Blake and Grant Janken, Cora
Karalis, and Greta Zerbian. She was aunt to four nieces and five nephews and friend to
many.
A memorial service is being planned for the spring. Lucille will be interred at
Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, IL, where her husband also rests. The family
would like to express their gratitude to Beacon Hill Lilac staff and the staff of Peace
Hospice for their attentiveness and loving care. Memorials may be made to the
Alzheimer’s Association.
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