Beverly A. "Bev" Winquest

Beverly A. Winquest

Age 85 of Joliet, IL, passed away on June 20, 2024 at Ascension St. Joseph Medical Center.

Born November 23, 1938 in Bay City, MI, Beverly was a daughter of Eugene and Evelyn (Née Sanders) Winquest. She was raised in the Bay City area, was a graduate of Bay City Central High School, the University of Alaska, Fairbanks and the Art Institute of Chicago.

Throughout her lifetime, Bev lived in Oak Forest, IL, Fairbanks, AK, Plant City, Florida, and settled in the Joliet area. 

Bev was a talented, passionate self-employed artist. She painted, drew and sculpted many pieces which she sold and handed down to her family and friends.

She was a retired United States Army veteran, a Director of the Oak Forest Community Chest and Director for the Oak Forest of Commerce in 1977. After the death of their daughter, Bev and her former husband, James, started the Oak Forest blood drive in her memory.

She worked for Montgomery Wards, was the owner of “Blossoms by Beverly” floral shop as well as “Heaven Scent” floral shop in Twin Oaks Plaza.

Bev deeply loved her family and will be truly missed.

Survivors include her former husband, James R. Watson; her loving children, Jody (Candy) Noel, Jaime Bickerton, James (Rachel) Watson; grandchildren, Russ Jones, Derrick, Jesse, Ben, Kaleb and Ashley Noel, Zachary and Samuel Bickerton, Eleora, Ellyanna, Abigail, Sophia, Ronin, Violet and Ruthanna Watson; great-grandchildren, Breanna, Bianca, Jacob, Raelynn, Khaleasi Jones, Dakota, Jessica, Jaxon, Amalia Noel, Madison Luster, Genevieve Willis; great great-grandchildren, Axtyn and Aylin Johnson and Kaliyah Brooks and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. 

Bev was preceded in death by her daughter, Joleen Watson (1970); parents, Eugene and Evelyn Winquest; siblings, Barbara (Rod) Lutzke, Marie (Ron) Watts, Gary Winquest and Bill (Becky) Winquest.

Private services were held for Beverly A. Winquest and she was laid to rest in Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, Elwood, IL following United States military honors and a prayer service officiated by her son, James.

Relatives and friends are encouraged to sign the online guest book by logging onto: www.PleseFuneralservices.com.

Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the genuine care and direction of Kenneth A. Plese, in Joliet, IL 815-735-2125.