George H. Besch

CHARLESTON, IL – George H. Besch, age 74 of Charleston and formerly of Harrisburg, Illinois, went to his Heavenly Home on Monday, February 17, 2020 while at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield.  A service to celebrate his life is planned for 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 29, 2020 at Old Bethel Baptist Church, 442 Old Bethel Road in Sturgis, Kentucky.  His family hosted a Celebration of Life Service in Charleston on Saturday, February 22, 2020 at East Harrison Street Church of God.  In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in his honor may be made to Marjorie Besch to assist with final expenses or to a charity of the donor’s preference that assists widows and orphans as the scriptures instruct.  Gifts may be mailed in care of Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Drive, Charleston, IL  61920.

George was born January 5, 1946 in Anna, Illinois, a son of George Harry and Bonita (Hinkle) Besch.  His father died before he was born and his mother married Robert Newman who was the man George knew and loved as his father.  George was a graduate of Harrisburg High School and earned a Bachelor’s Degree from SIU Carbondale.  He attended Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Ft. Worth, Texas earning two Master’s Degrees.  George’s insatiable thirst for knowledge was a driving force in his life.  He never quit learning and was always enrolled in a class or educational program.

George established Besch Consulting, Inc., a professional land surveying and engineering company and later was employed with Illinois Dept. of Transportation as a civil engineer.  George also felt the calling to enter into ministry as well, and it was at Old Bethel Baptist Church in Sturgis, Kentucky that he met Marjorie Collins.  On July 10, 1970, she became his wife and partner in ministry that took them to places across the United States, touching and influencing the lives of many.  Locally, George was minister at North Side Baptist Church for multiple years.  It will be at the Old Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery that his earthly remains will be laid to rest.

George is survived by Marjorie, his loving and devoted wife for nearly 50 years; a son, Robert Besch and wife Sierra of Charleston and a daughter, Barbara Burleson of Ft. Worth, Texas; four grandchildren, Mashayla, Brantley and Bella Besch and Ashley Burleson; a great-grandchild, Kenzley Clapp; a sister, Cindy Walsh of Jacksonville, Florida and a nephew, Eric Patton.  Marjorie’s large family loved George and made him one of their own.   He loved them dearly in return – so much that he established a yearly holiday, the Saturday following Labor Day that he deemed In-Law Day.  

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