Verle Jerome Besant, 88, recently of Alpharetta, Georgia “but forever of Centralia, IL” passed away peacefully and surrounded by his family on September 25th, 2023.
He was born June 4th, 1935 to Jerome Besant and Selma (nee Krietemeyer) Besant. He later married Jo Ann (nee Redeker) Besant on June 25th, 1980.
Verle is survived by his wife Jo Ann (affectionately ‘Jo’) his children Craig Besant and wife Christi of Mt. Vernon, IL; Karen ‘Libby’ Breeze and husband Steve of Niceville, FL; Teri Miller of Johns Creek, GA and Gary Schuchman of Wilmington, NC; and his grandchildren Claire Besant, Henry Besant, Emma Breeze, and Cooper Breeze.
Verle was a graduate of Schiller Grade School, Centralia High School, and the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (1957) with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics/Insurance. He served on active duty with an anti-aircraft artillery unit. He also served seven years in the Army Reserves, attaining the rank of Captain.
In 1957, he became an agent for New York Life Insurance. In 1960, he became an associate for the Redeker Insurance Agency; in 1964, a partner; in 1977, the owner. The agency is now known as the Centralia branch of Dimond Brothers Insurance.
He was a lifetime member of Trinity Lutheran Church and served as Elder. He was a member of Sunshine Rotary, a board member of St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Hospital, a board member of Felician Services, Inc., a Director of Centralia Industries, Chairman of the Centralia Foundation, and Chairman of the Centralia Redevelopment Commission. He was also a member of the Centralia Recreation Complex, Centralia Elks, and Meadow Woods Country Club.
He was a past member and President of the Centralia Independent Insurance Agents Association, board member of the Illinois Association of Insurance Agents, past Chairman of Centralia United Fund, County Chairman of the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, and a founding member of the Board of Trustees, Kaskaskia College 1965-1972. He was instrumental in establishing the Kaskaskia College District in 1965 and served as President of the Kaskaskia College Foundation from 1965-1972, President of the Illinois Community College Trustees Association from 1968-1969, and a member from 1968-1972. Verle was also a member of the Board of Directors of First National Bank and Magna Bank.
He was also President of the Centralia Cultural Society in 1976. Member of Centralia Economic Development Council, past President of Centralia Chapter of American Red Cross, recipient of the Centralia Jaycees Distinguished Service Award. President of Centralia Jaycees 1961 and 2002 Recipient of Small Business of the Year Award by Centralia Chamber of Commerce.
Verle received the Centralia High School Distinguished Alumni Award in 2012 and the Centralia City Schools Reach for the Stars award in 2009. He was a lifetime member of the Centralia Chamber of Commerce. In April of 2015, he was presented a Key to the City of Centralia by then-Mayor, Tom Ashby.
He was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Centralia until moving to Alpharetta, GA where he became a member of Cross of Life Lutheran Church.
Verle was a steady and quiet leader who dedicated his life to service in the name of the community, particularly within that which he loved most his hometown of Centralia. To memorialize our husband, father, and grandfather properly is to recognize the litany of generosity he dedicated his life to building.
He also had a thoughtful habit of including batteries with his gifts to his grandchildren, which their parents appreciated.
Funeral Services for Verle Besant will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Centralia Foundation and will be accepted at Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home at 235 North Sycamore Street, Centralia, Illinois 62801 (618) 532-3523. Sutherland Funeral Home is honored to be of service to the Besant family. Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.sutherlandfuneralhome.com or the funeral home’s Facebook page.
