Obituary John William Beam, 57, of Washington, Illinois died Friday, December 16, 2011, after courageously battling cancer for nearly five years. Born on August 11, 1954 in Springfield, IL to William Henry Beam and Nancy Margaret Haynes Beam, he married Laura Jackson on October 21, 2000, and she survives. John is also survived by one sister, Carol Beam Specketer of Normal, Illinois, two nieces, four nephews, two great nieces, and five great nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother and father. John was raised and educated in Bloomington, IL, graduating from Bloomington High School in 1972. He graduated college with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business from Western Illinois University in 1976. He then attended Art Center College of Design, in Pasadena, California, and graduated from there in 1979 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Photography. He began his career as a professional photographer working for General Electric from 1980 to 1984. He then continued his career as a professional photographer at Illinois Central College from 1984 until he retired in 2009. He was a member of Crossroads United Methodist Church in Washington, Illinois. With his sense of humor and his loving heart, John made an impact on everyone he met. He had a brave heart and never gave up even to the very end in his fight against cancer. He was taken far too soon and will never be forgotten by those who knew and loved him. Funeral services will be held at Crossroads United Methodist Church in Washington, Illinois on Tuesday, December 20, 2011 at 11:00am. Pastor Tom Goodell will officiate. Graveside services will be private at Funk's Grove Cemetery in Bloomington, IL. Visitation will be at Deiters Funeral Home and Crematory in Washington on Monday, December 19, 2011 from 5:00-7:00pm. Service DEC 20. 11:00 AM Crossroads United Methodist Church 1420 N. Main Street Washington, IL, US