Alvena M. Campbell

Alvena M. Campbell, “Beanie”, was given her eternal reward at 10:20am on Thursday, May 5, 2022, at Good Samaritan Home.

Born in Payson IL on June 4, 1931, to Carl and Margaret Dingerson. Alvena graduated from Payson Seymour High School in 1950 and from Blessing Hospital School of Nursing in 1953. She worked on Blessing Pediatrics and then for Dr Kaz Attai at Quincy Medical Group until her retirement in 2001. Beanie loved being a nurse and was admired by her colleagues.  She was known as “Mrs.” by her work colleagues, a name fondly given to her by Dr Attai.  She was not only selfless and passionate about caring for others, she was also a teacher and mentor to so many she worked with.

On September 4, 1954, Beanie married Grover William Campbell in Payson IL, and they had three sons: Greg, Grant, and Gerald, (aka, “Booty”). Beanie was married to Grover for over 49 years before his passing in 2004.

Beanie was a member of Zion Church in Ursa. She believed in Jesus Christ her Savior and wanted to share her love for him with others. She had been a youth group leader, Sunday School teacher, choir member and was active in Share & Care. Beanie was always willing to volunteer for a meal, or a fundraiser, and was a pillar within the church.  She volunteered for the American Red Cross and was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and Blessing Nurses Alumni Association.

Beanie made friends easily and was beloved by all who knew her. You could often find her around her kitchen table sharing a laugh or a story with someone. It was this same kitchen that she raised a beautiful family, hosted Christmas and Birthdays, made her famous deviled eggs, and wrote thousands of well-wishing cards to neighbors and friends who just needed a smile.

Beanie took pride in being a farm wife and never hesitated to help her husband Grover with farm chores, running errands, or taking care of loose ends. Once her sons took over the family farm, Beanie took on a new role of cook, chauffer, and “project manager”. She could often be found dropping off lunches to the men in the field, helping with pick ups and drop offs, and above all making sure everything got done the way she wanted. Her family often joked to not go into the house unless you wanted a couple more chores to do. Beanie took pride in the hard work her and Grover put into their beautiful farm and it is something she has forever instilled in her sons and their families.

In her free time Beanie enjoyed social games like Bunco, Bingo, various card game and was an avid bowler. In fact, she was on bowling leagues for several years and has the trophies to prove it. You could often find her at garage or estate sales with her grandchildren on the weekend to find that “antique” or that “just had to have” item. Beanie enjoyed anything that allowed for good company and good conversation.

Beanies generous spirit often led to the adoption of an orphan animal. People still talk about her having deer, a litter of racoons, a calf, or piglet in her home. She cared for these animals so much they often became pets and roamed the farm with her as she worked in the yard or planted her garden. Many family photos can be found with her deer Bambi taking cloths off the cloths line.

Through the years as the family grew, her focus and dedication shifted to her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Sleep overs and time spent at the farm where a constant weekend event. Her grandchildren remember all piling in the living room watching Andy Griffith, spending time swimming in the creek, and the amazing smell of grandma’s sugar cookies during the summer. Beanie enjoyed attending their activities, hearing their stories, sharing a meal with them, and watching them grow.

Beanie’s infectious smile, selfless love, and her sense of humor will be missed by all who knew her. With her passing, her family knows that heaven is truly rejoicing because they have gained a very special angel, and it is that knowledge that allows them to celebrate her life and share it with others.

Beanie is survived by her loving sons Greg (Becky) Campbell of Ursa IL and Gerald “Booty” (Yvonne) Campbell of Quincy IL; grandchildren, Andrew (Kristi) Campbell, Alicia (Brandon) Breckencamp, Holly (Dustin) Schell, Nicholas (Jodeen) Campbell and Lucas Campbell; great-grandchildren, Riley and Easton, Cierra, Danilee, Elizza, and Fealixx, Emma, Sophia, and Elijah, Magnolia, and Hope, and Adam, Natalie, and Claire; brother, Donald Dingerson of Payson IL; sisters, Anna Mae Hunziker from Hurdland MO, Myrt Deters from LaGrange MO, and Norma (Bob) Perry of Payson, IL and sister-in-law, Karel Dingerson from Payson IL

In addition to her husband, Beanie was preceded in death by her son, Grant Campbell, great grandchildren Grace Schell and Zeke Breckenkamp; brothers Earl Dingerson, Raymond Dingerson and Robert Dingerson; and sisters Bessie Sprague and Cora Lee Davis; brothers-in-law Jerry Hunziker, Clarence Deters, Barry Davis, and Paul Sprague; sisters-in-law, Diane Dingerson, Dorothy Dingerson, and Shirley Dingerson.

A funeral Service for Beanie will be held at 11:00am, Tuesday, May 10, 2022, at the Zion Church in Ursa, IL, Pastor Ralph Fairchild will be officiating. Visitation will start at 9:00am. Interment will follow at New Providence Cemetery, Ursa, IL. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Beanie’s name are suggested to the Zion Church, the IL Veterans Home Activity Fund, or #BeLikeGrace Foundation. Triplett Funeral Home in Mendon is in care of arrangements. Please feel free to share your stories and memories of Beanie at www.triplettfuneralhomes.com