View Funeral Webcast

Hiawatha, KS     David Kenneth Beecham, 76, longtime Hiawatha resident, with family by his side, passed from this life to his eternal life December 24, 2024 at Amberwell Hiawatha.

David was born March 27, 1948, at Columbus, KS, one of five children born to Harry and Luella Francis Heikman Beecham.  He lived at Winfield State Hospital until the age of 6, Parson's State Hospital for a short time before being cared for in the home by the Beecham family.  He later was a resident at a Fort Scott nursing home for approximately 5 years.  He then lived at the Brown County Infirmary for 6 years until he moved into a foster home with Deane and Carol Nigus in March of 1982.  He moved in with caregiver, Pam Morey in 1999 and later into his own apartment in Hiawatha with BCDS in 2009.  David began attending the Brown County Sheltered Workshop (now the BCDS Work Activity Center) in the early 80's and continued until his death.  In February 1988, David began working at the Bank of Horton Student Loan Services.  David also worked at the Hiawatha Heartland Inn, Morrill Free Public Library, BCK-SEC Annex, and Steve's Tractor Repair.  He participated in the Special Olympics in bowling for many years.

David was a longtime member of the First Christian Church in Hiawatha where he attended Sunday school; and the Hiawatha Lions Club.  To say he liked to collect matchbox cars was an understatement—he has hundreds!  He enjoyed eating out and being with friends.  He had a great sense of humor, a joy to be around… a tremendous appetite and unquenchable thirst for Pepsi!!

His BCDS family mourns his loss, along with Lori and Shane Flowers, Shilo Morton, Debbie Kloss, and Jay Brock Family.  Other survivors include his siblings: Carole Bledsoe KCK, Steven Beecham Ft Scott, Roger Beecham Hope Ks, and Harry Jr who passed shortly after birth and before their mother passed shortly after. Half siblings: Brad Beecham Ft Collins, CO, Naomi Newsom Fountain, CO, Gretchen Keaton Gardner,KS, Preston Beecham Holton, KS, Wilbur Beecham Valley Falls, KS, and Barney Beecham who passed at age three; 25 nieces and nephews and several great and great-great nieces and nephews.

Memorial services are planned for 11 a.m. Friday, January 3, 2025, at Chapel Oaks Funeral Home, Hiawatha.  Shane Spangler will officiate.  Inurnment will follow at Hiawatha Cemetery.

Friends may sign the register book after 9 a.m. Thursday.  Friends may gather starting at 10 a.m. Friday prior to services.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to David Beecham Memorial Fund, sent in care of Chapel Oaks Funeral Home, 124 S7th St., Hiawatha 66434.

Those that would care to write a special note of remembrance may do so at www.chapeloaksfuneralhome.com