Vaughn was born on October 5, 1935, in Richland Center, Wisconsin, the son of Alva and Winnie Hazel (Clark) Beeman.
On January 11, 1958, Vaughn married Linda Prater in Indianapolis, Indiana and they welcomed two children, Jay and Parian.
Vaughn attended school from elementary through high school in Richland Center. He went on to earn his bachelor’s degree from Lincoln Bible Institute, Lincoln, Illinois, and his master’s degree from Winchester Theological Seminary in Kentucky. Other studies were done at Purdue, Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia, and Lincoln Christian Seminary.
As the son of a minister, Vaughn followed in his father’s footsteps, dedicating his life to ministry and service to others. Vaughn had a heart for people and strived each day to lead someone to Christ. He served congregations in Bushnell and Griggsville, Illinois, Michigan City, Indiana, East Point, Georgia, Springfield, Illinois and Palmyra, Illinois. He served as Youth Minister and Senior Minister for 33 years at West Side Christian Church in Springfield, until 2000.
He also had a love for church camp. As a young boy he would attend most of the summer with his parents and later would serve on faculty as Dean in many church camps across the nation. Vaughn also mentored many young men as their coach on the basketball court. Many can attest to not being able to beat him one-on-one at the free throw line.
His love for youth also gave way to teaching Youth Ministry courses at Lincoln Christian College in Lincoln, Illinois. His ministry, camps, coaching, teaching, and mentoring speak to the kind of man he was.
Vaughn also had a lifetime love of sports and loved rooting for his beloved St. Louis Cardinals and the Fighting Illini.
Vaughn could often be found in his garage restoring and refinishing any kind of antique furniture. He was very well known for taking an old broken-down piece and making it beautiful again.
Vaughn was preceded in death by his parents, Alva and Winnie; wife, Linda Beeman; and brothers, Ellis Beeman, Ellwood Beeman, and Verl Beeman.
He is survived by his son, Jay (Diane) Beeman; daughter, Parian (Rodney) Hull; granddaughter, Lyndi (Nick) Reed; grandsons, Wade (Tiffany) Beeman, Jordan (Mya) Hull, and Landin (Olivia) Hull; 11 great-grandchildren; and several beloved nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held at West Side Christian Church, 2850 Cider Mill Lane, Springfield, Illinois, 62702, on Thursday, September 24, 2026, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:45 p.m., followed by the Funeral Ceremony at 7:00 p.m. with Jay Beeman and Mike Harney officiating.
Vaughn will be laid to rest next to Linda at a private Graveside Ceremony at Roselawn Memorial Park in Springfield, Illinois.
Memorial donations may be made to Lincoln Seminary at OCC, 1111 North Main Street, Joplin, Missouri, 64801, or online at www.occ.edu/give in honor of Vaughn Beeman.
Please visit www.bischfuneralhome.com to offer condolences.
