Obituary of Carl Arthur Behme

Carl Arthur Behme, 91, of Carlinville went to be with his Lord on Tuesday, November 5, 2024 at home surrounded by family. Born almost a century ago to Henry Christian and Clara (Rhodes) Behme in Brushy Mound Township, Carl was born February 9, 1933. Carl farmed with Henry Christian, his dad, starting in 1947-48 and drove a D4 CAT for Brushy Mound Township. Carl graduated from Carlinville High School in 1950. After graduation, Carl went to work at Konneker Brown and continued to farm. Carl married Mary Lou (Link) on April 11, 1953 and to that union 8 children were born-Susan, Sharon, Annette, Carol, Jennifer, Christopher, Jeffrey, and Gregory. Mary Lou preceded him in death on May 28, 2004. Carl married Charlene Feiker Marischenn (sons: Patrick (Jenny) Osborne and Michael Osborne) on June 23, 2006. She survives. Carl had a visionary or pioneer spirit - he could see how things could be ….how to make things better, how to make things grow. Carl was a founding member of Hog, Inc., (62 years, serving as President several times); Founding member of Prairie State Gilts (President), Founding member of Macoupin County Pork Producers (President & other offices); Carl received the 1964, 1965 and 1966 IL Top Pork Producer of the Year award. Carl was active in Macoupin County Beef Producers; a founding member of IL Pork Pac; Macoupin County Farm Bureau Vice President (Chair of the Building & Grounds Committee that purchased & built where it sits today). Carl was also President of the Catholic Cemetery Board for years and instrumental in setting up New Calvary Cemetery. Carl was a member of SS Mary & Joseph Church and served as an usher since the 50’s, Eucharistic minister and on the Parish Council. Carl was also a Knights of Columbus member. Carl was a founding member of the North Otter Watershed Drainage District and named Outstanding Young Farmer by the Carlinville JAYCEEs. In high school Carl was active in FFA and received the state Farmer degree and the Dekalb High Yield Award in corn production. A 1977 Master Farmer, Carl was also father to four county Pork Queens, one of which was IL State Pork Queen, three FFA Chapter Farmers, and two American Farmer. All eight children were 10-11 year 4-H members and 14 grandchildren were/are 4-H members. The Behmes were 1988 IL Pork Producer Farm Family of the Year. Family and farming were Carl’s pride and joy. Preceding him were his parents, brothers: Henry Vincent, Floyd (Joyce), and Erwin (Barbara) Behme; 6 sisters: Myrtle (Stanley)Karrick, Iva (Richard) Loveless, Irene (Edgar) Peacock, Lela (Gilson) Robinson, Stella (Glenn) Coffey, Esther Fagerburg, and four grandchildren. Surviving are Charlene, five daughters: Susan (Dr. Larry) Jeisy, Sharon (Keith) Missey, Annette (James) Bellm, Carol (Randall) Tillman, Jennifer (Jerry) Titus, three sons: Christopher (Kelly), Jeffrey (Julie), and Gregory(Stefanie) Behme and grandchildren: Luke(Jenny) Behme, Richard (Rachael ) Jeisy, Eric (Cameron) Bellm, Curt (Nicole) Jeisy, Andrew (Kelly) Bellm, Rachel Tillman, Rene’e(Dillon) Ruholl, Ryan (Whitney) Tillman, Tyler Behme, Victoria Titus, Claire Behme, Alexander Behme, Frank Titus, Mary, Ellie and Charlie Behme and 14 great grandchildren, goddaughters Marianne Buhrow, Jayne Dumas and Kathleen Clark. Also surviving are sister Verna (Richard)Knudson, sister-in-law Judy Behme and over fifty nieces and nephews. Visitation will be at SS. Mary & Joseph Church, Sunday, November 17, 2024, from 4-7pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Monday, November 18, 2024, at 10 am at Ss Mary and Joseph Catholic Church, Carlinville, IL, with Reverend Joe Koyickal, SAC, presiding. Memorials may be made to Calvary Cemetery Association, Wounded Warrior Fund, Macoupin County 4-H Foundation, or St. Jude. Davis- Anderson Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.