Letitia Rae "Tish" Beckley, age 76 of Elwood, passed away peacefully on Monday, Nov. 13, 2023 at Bethany Pointe Health Campus in Anderson after a long term illness.  She was born March 13, 1947 in Peru, the daughter of Weldon and Sarah (Wise) Glassburn.  Tish was a 1965 graduate of Maconaquah High School, attended Indiana University Kokomo (IUK), and then received her Master's Degree in Education from Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion.  She married Stephen W. Beckley on Sept. 10, 1966 and they shared 57 years of marriage together.  Tish was a devoted homemaker and farm wife before her calling to be a teacher and librarian.  For several years before becoming a teacher, Tish and Stephen had a photography company named "Beckley and Compton" photography.  She educated the children of Madison Grant Schools for over 20 years and had a passion for teaching.  Tish was President of the Madison-Grant Teacher's Association for many years.  She was also a devoted member of the First Church of the Nazarene in Anderson.  Tish loved Jesus, her family, and especially loved and enjoyed spending time with her beloved grandchildren.  She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Tish's family includes her husband, Stephen W. Beckley of Elwood; 2 daughters, Michelle Nelson and April Starrett both of Alexandria; sister, Paulette Carmichael of Marion; brother-in-law, Jim (Sally) Beckley of Elwood; 6 grandchildren, Derrik W.B. (Cassie) Starrett, Morgan L. (Neil) Stevens, Amanda Grace Starrett, Sgt. Brodie S. Wallace, Andrew (Kim) Starrett, and Aaron Starrett; 3 great-grandchildren, Pierce Stevens, Henry Starrett, and Amelia Starrett; former exchange student and bonus daughter, Anu Trygg of Finland; 6 nieces and nephews, Beth (Tim) Miller, Shari Beckley, Dana (Steve) Adamson, Bryan Carmichael, Aaron Carmichael and Winnie Williamson.  Tish was preceded in death by her parents; son-in-law, Raymond Starrett; and brother-in-law, Timothy Beckley.

A life celebration funeral service will be conducted at 2:00 pm on Sunday, November 19, 2023 at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home with Dr. Joe Dagostino, III of the Anderson First Church of the Nazarene, officiating.  Burial will follow in the Forrestville Cemetery.  Visitation for family and friends will be held from 12 to 2 pm on Sunday prior to the funeral at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home.  Memorial contributions are suggested to the Anderson First Church of Nazarene through the funeral home.  Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.copherfeslermay.com.