Dewitt K. “Spud” Beswick, 97, died Thursday, May 29, 2014, at Four Seasons Living Center in Morrison, IL.
He was born August 16, 1916, in Mount Pleasant Township, the son of Clarence W. and Maggie (Kennedy) Beswick.
Spud was educated in the James one-room school in Whiteside County, where he graduated from the eighth grade. He then went to work for his father on the family farm. Spud was a lifelong farmer and part-time truck driver. Spud married Violetta May Humphrey on September 3, 1938, in Sterling, IL. She preceded him in death on February 24, 1981. He and Vi worked on the family farm at Lyndon and Malvern Roads until her death. He married Elizabeth A. “Betty” (Jones) Dykema on June 26, 1982, in Morrison. She died April 26, 2012.
Spud was a civic-minded individual who believed in being part of the solutions to the community’s problems. He served as Clyde Township clerk, was a Hiddleson School board member, a Farmers Elevator and Supply Company board member, and director of the Heaton Cemetery Association. Spud also was a charter member of the Whiteside County Livestock Feeders Association, a member and officer of the Morrison Millstreamers Square Dance Club, and a member of Morrison United Methodist Church.
He is survived by two daughters, Karen Howe of Arlington Heights, IL, and Jane Wilson of Montego Bay, Jamaica; two sons, Ken (Gayle) Beswick of Erie, IL, and Don (Peggy) Beswick of Morrison; two stepdaughters, Mary (John) Alumbaugh of Mahomet, IL, and Judy (Jim) Jenkins of Bath, NY; two stepsons, Bill (Barb) Dykema of Mechanicsville, VA, and Doug (Denise) Dykema of Morrison; 11 grandchildren, Rick (Paula) Beswick, Mitch (Susan) Beswick, Diane (Jeff) Vail, Lori (Kevin) Clark, Matt (Jess) Howe, Sarah Howe, Donovan (Lindy) Beswick, Rob (Pam) McEvoy, Jeremy (Paul Lash) McEvoy, Melissa Wilson, and Megan Wilson; 19 great-grandchildren, Brianna and Spencer Beswick, Sydney (Colton) Crayne, Haley (James) DeBaker, Christian and Caleb Vail, Jackson, James, and Jayson Clark, Alexandra and Rebecca Howe, Bennett and Violet Beswick, Ashleigh and Adrianna McEvoy, Greg and Mariah Blasdell, Montana Hernandez, and Jeryn McEvoy; a great-great-grandchild, Violet DeBaker; nine step-grandchildren, Matt (Anna) Dykema, Carley Dykema, Jeremy (Tami) Alumbaugh, Aaron (Kim) Alumbaugh, Zack (Kelly) Alumbaugh, Josh (Dana) Dykema, Macie (Blair) Russell, Amber (Joe) Sheflin, and Laura (Andy) Guiliatta; five step-great-grandchildren, Ava Lou and Gracie Dykema, Sidney and Landon Alumbaugh, and Brianna Sheflin.
In addition to his wives, he was preceded in death by his parents; son-in-law, Percival Wilson; step-granddaughter, Nicole Dykema; two sisters, Adelle Berge and Phyllis Forth; three brothers, Howard Beswick, Thomas Beswick, and one in infancy.
Visitation will be from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, June 5, 2014, in the Morrison Chapel at Bosma-Renkes Funeral Home.
The funeral service will be at 1:00 p.m. Friday, June 6, 2014, at Morrison United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Polly Klimson, Pastor of Fenton United Methodist Church, officiating.
Interment will be at Grove Hill Cemetery in Morrison, IL.
Memorials are established for Morrison Community Hospital and Morrison United Methodist Church.
To send online condolences, visit www.bosmarenkes.com.