DU QUOIN -- Martha "Pete" Bean, 97, of Du Quoin, formerly of De Soto, passed away on Tuesday, May 15, 2018 in Du Quoin.
She was born on Tuesday, March 8, 1921 in East St. Louis, to George Raymond and Emma Victoria (Lorentz) Hess.
"Pete" married Tyrus W. Bean in 1945 and spent many wonderful years together until his passing on Aug. 17, 1990.
Pete loved taking care of her family, friends and had an incredible talent for crocheting. It was a hobby and a way of making people feel special when she made numerous crocheted items to give away all over southern Illinois. These were handmade gifts that countless individuals will treasure in celebration of their life's milestones.
"Pete" was a long-standing member of the Mount Calvary Lutheran Church in De Soto who was loved and will be truly missed by many. Among her many life's accomplishments she had also worked several years at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale.
"Pete" is survived by her son, Charles (Janet) Bean, of Du Quoin; three grandchildren, Rusty Biggs of Carbondale, Corrie Iubelt of Newburg, Indiana, and John Bean of Du Quoin; three great-grandchildren; four step-great-grandchildren; three step-great-great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents: husband, Tyrus; sister, Georgia Lybarger; sons, Bruce and George Bean; and step-grandson, Tyler Iubelt.
The funeral service for "Pete" will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, May 19 at Meredith Funeral Home in Carbondale, with the Rev. Joe Wagner officiating.
Burial will follow in De Soto City Cemetery.
Visitation will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturday at the funeral home.
Memorials donations are the preferred form of remembrance and may be made to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis organization (ALS) and select charitable organizations of the donor's choice. Envelopes will be provided and accepted at the funeral home.
Visit www.meredithfh.com to leave an online condolence or share a favorite memory of "Pete" for her family.
