Rebecca E. "Becky" Bechtel

Rebecca E. Becky Bechtel, age 53 of Stronghurst, Illinois died at 8:45 p.m. Sunday April 8, 2012 in the University Of Iowa Hospital And Clinics in Iowa City. She was born January 23,1959, the daughter of Robert and Betty Carnes Carmean. On June 30, 1979, she married Gary Bechtel in Stronghurst. They later divorced.

Becky was a 1977 graduate of Southern High School. She continued her education with classes in the arts, interior decorating, and computers, receiving a degree from the School Of Interior Design in Norcross, Georgia. She worked for a time at Modern Home in Macomb, IL., where she also taught classes for Western Illinois Students. She had worked at Bighams Flooring and later Cooper Floor Covering both in Aledo, for several years. She had owned and operated Decorating Made Easy By Becky in Stronghurst since 2000. She also gave presentations for various groups, including Home Extension and Farm Bureau Womens Day, covering seven counties. She also conducted a seminar entitled Women In Business in Aledo, IL. Her goal in life was to be the longest living diabetic with 20/20 eyesight.

Survivors include one daughter- Brandi Bechtel of Aledo, her companion of fifteen years, and fianc - Doran Elmore, her parents, and one sister- Anna Carmean, all of Stronghurst.

The funeral for Becky Bechtel will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday April 12, 2012 in the Stronghurst Christian Church with Rev. Steve Minkler officiating. Burial will follow in the Stronghurst Cemetery. Friends may call after 3:00 p.m. Wednesday at Banks & Beals Funeral Home in Stronghurst, where the family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Wednesday. Memorials have been established for The American Diabetes Association and The Stronghurst Christian Church. Condolences may be left at banksandbeals.com