The Daily Gazette, Sterling, Illinois

June 26, 1990 - Tuesday, pg A2

ESTHER  L. (Johnson) BEECHEL

Prophetstown: - Esther L. Beechel, 76, formerly of Prophetstown, died Sunday in Mountain Home, Ark.  Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Thursday at the Gardner Funeral Home, with Rev. Clifford Baumann of the First Lutheran Church officiating. Burial will be at the Riverside Cemetery.  Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.  A memorial has been established.

Mrs. Beechel was born July 1, 1913 in Tampico, the daughter of August and Hanna (Hansen) Johnson. She married Darrell Beechel June 19, 1939 in Sterling.  She was a 1929 graduate of Prophetstown High School and was employed for many years for Equitable Insurance Co., Des Moines, until her retirement in 1973.

She is survived by her husband; one daughter, Deloris McKae, Houston; one son, Douglas, Cotter, Ark.; six grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one sister and three brothers.