Lowell L. Beggs, 85, formerly of Amboy, and Oregon, IL, died on Tuesday, May 17, 2016, at his home in Lake Geneva, WI.
Lowell Lindell Beggs was born to the late Esco and Gladys (Wilkerson) Beggs on December 3, 1930, in Buncombe, IL. Although he began his life in southern Illinois, he called many other places home: Elgin, Amboy, Oregon, and Morrison, IL; Lake Geneva; Tucson, AZ. In 1947, Lowell joined the United State Navy where he served two years. As a young man he learned how to be a butcher and then moved on to own his own grocery store, Beggs’ Foods, in Amboy, for 51 years. His passion for golf led him to be proud owner and operator of Silver Ridge Golf Course in Oregon for 20 years and Prairie Ridge Golf Course in Morrison for ten years.
Lowell was committed to service in his community. He was a member of the Lee County Board, District #272 Board of Education, the Masons, and the Rotary Club. He loved trap shooting, wildflowers, and playing cards, and he was an avid Clipper fan. Lowell was a hunter, a farmer, and an airplane pilot, having owned his own J3 Cub. He had a strong sense of adventure, that led him on many travels, and an insatiable desire to learn. He sponsored Calvin Peete and Mick Soli on the Professional Golf Association Tour.
Lowell’s true passion and love was for his family and friends. He is survived by Kai Conway; his six children, Joanne (Richard) Biebel of Waukesha, WI, John (Denise) Beggs of Captiva Island, FL, Ray Beggs of Amboy, Nancy (Anthony DiBiase) Brady of Yorkville, IL, Christopher (Floyd Elwell) Conway of Los Angeles, CA, and Catherine (David) Donegan of Skokie, IL; 14 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren. Lowell is also survived by sisters Zelma Elkins of Denver, CO, and Betty Adams of Carbondale, IL, and brothers Wayne Beggs and Bob (Marilyn) Beggs, both of Marengo, IL.
Lowell was preceded in death by his parents Esco and Gladys and sister Juanita Whiteside.
A Celebration of Life will take place at 9:30 a.m., on Saturday, June 11, 2016, at Silver Ridge Golf Course, 3069 N. Hill Road, in Oregon, IL.
In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, a memorial has been established at the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN.
Condolences may be sent to M. Kai Conway, 935 Bonnie Brae Lane, Lake Geneva, WI 53147.