Beverly "Bev" Rose Tack

Beverly “Bev” Rose Tack was an avid reader, enjoying everything from classics to science fiction. At the age of 87, Beverly finished the last chapter of her life, Saturday, May 8, 2021 at home, in the loving care of her family.

Beverly began her story September 29, 1933, in Hanover, Illinois, the daughter of Ronald and Mona (Schumaker) McColley. When she was young the family moved to a farm north of Savanna where she grew up appreciating the simple things in life, like playing with her brothers on the sand hills near Rush creek. She attended Oak Grove Country School and Savanna High School.

Bev married Phillip J (Joe) O’Heron. Joe was killed while working on the railroad as a brakeman. Bev married Max C. Tack on September 6, 1955; they were married for 46 years until his death in 2001. Max was the love of Bev’s life. She said she knew she would marry Max when she first saw him walking down the Ridge carrying a logging chain around his neck. During their marriage they spent nearly all their time together and truly enjoyed one another’s company. There was always laughter, hugs and kisses, and many good jokes and stories.

Bev enjoyed being a farm wife with Max, it was as natural as breathing for her. She was passionate about reading, and that made all the difference in life. Even though she rarely traveled far from home, she could find herself in many different worlds just by opening a book. Bev collected Blue Willow dishware and got excited when she was planning to go antiquing. She also mastered talents like quilting, crocheting, baking and decorating cakes. Always keeping her eye on helping others, Bev was generous when someone was in-need.

Beverly will be dearly missed by her two daughters, Cindy (Doug) Wilken of Byron, Illinois and Teresa (James Hiher) Maidak of Thomson; 4 grandchildren, Katrina (Adam) Rhodes, Stefanie (Brad) Farrell, Alex (Sarah O’Hern) Maidak and Max (Julie Geslewitz) Maidak; 5 great grandchildren, Madelyn, Claire, Charlotte, James and Matthew; a brother, Richard (Ruth) McColley of Hanover; 5 sisters, Joan (Larry) Bielema and Jane Rassmussen, both of Thomson, Illinois, Peggy (Keith) Chapman and Angie (Charles) Williams, both of Savanna, and Patsy (Bob) Benell of Lanark. Beverly is preceded in death by her parents; both husbands; 4 brothers, Jim, John, Bill and Robert McColley; an infant son and infant grandson.

A funeral service will be held 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 18, 2021 at the Law-Jones Funeral Home, Savanna with Pastor Dave Yim of the Savanna United Methodist Church officiating. Burial will be in St. Peter’s Cemetery, rural Savanna. Visitation will be held 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Monday, May 17, 2021 at the funeral home and also one hour prior to the service. Memorials may be made to the Savanna Food Pantry.