Sheila McCollough “Mimi” Beck, 96, a lifelong Chicora resident, passed away peacefully early Wednesday morning, April 2, 2025 in the comfort of her home while in the presence of her loving family.
Sheila was born in Clarion on March 25, 1929. She was the daughter of the late Theodore O. and M. June Skiles McCollough. She was a 1947 graduate of Fairview Township Karns City High School. In her earlier years, Sheila was employed as a switch board operator at Penn Drake in Karns City. In her later years, Sheila volunteered as a reading aide at Chicora Elementary School.
She was a long time active member of the former First English Lutheran Church in Chicora and later Holy Trinity Lutheran Church. Sheila served as a Eucharistic Minister, taught Sunday School, was a member of the Church Choir, and was a faithful helper at the church’s funeral dinners. She was a loving and devoted homemaker and served as a den mother for the local cub scout troop.
Following her husband’s retirement, the couple became world travelers. They traveled to Europe, Africa, South America, and Australia. They enjoyed spending fall and winter at their second home on the Gulf coast of Florida where they enjoyed the company of many wonderful friends. They also enjoyed trips to the family cottage on Canadohta Lake. Sheila’s heart belonged to Chicora where she was most at home with her family and friends. She was a proud grandmother and great grandmother and always enjoyed the “kids” activities. She was always a willing participant in the silliest of games and antics, and was always engaging with her never-ending contagious laughter. Later in life, she enjoyed watching and feeding the squirrels and birds at her home. She was a lifelong sports fan, watching in person or on TV any and all sports.
She was preceded in death by her husband, George A. Beck on March 3, 2020. The couple was married at the First English Lutheran Church in Chicora on August 22, 1952.
Sheila is survived by a daughter, Pam Miller and her husband, Gary, of Chicora; two sons, Daniel Beck of Atlanta, Ga, and George Beck and his wife, Linda, of Chicora; seven grandchildren, Erin Stonebreaker and her husband, Josh, Patrick Miller and his wife, Jessica, Kevin Beck and his wife, Sarah, Lori Beck and husband, Cale Davis, Nicole Beck, Paul Beck and Kaylee Beck; four great grandchildren, Camden Stonebreaker, Elyse Stonebreaker, Beck Miller, and Ramona Davis. Mrs. Beck was looking forward to meeting her fifth great grandchild soon. Also surviving is a sister-in-law, Roseanne McCollough of Sarver as well as a number of nieces, nephews, cousins, and a number of very special friends and wonderful caregivers.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her brother, Curtis F. McCollough, as well as a number of brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.
Friends will be received at the Hile Funeral Home of Chicora, 339 Chicora Fenelton Rd., Chicora from 4-7 p.m. Thursday, and from 10-11 a.m. Friday at the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 221 Chicora Rd., Chicora. A funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Joseph Boomhower, church pastor, officiating. Interment will be in North Side Cemetery, Butler. Memorial contributions in Mrs. Beck’s name may be made to the Karns City Regional Ambulance Service, P.O. Box 21, Petrolia, PA 16050. To send a condolence, please visit www.hilefh.com.