Gail Eunice (Simms) Behm, age 78, of Mattoon, Il, passed with grace at 5:30 am, Monday, February 13, 2012. She was surrounded by her loving family during her illness and hospitalization fighting cancer.

The family will be celebrating her life at the visitation held at Shrader Funeral Home, 204 N. Locust St., Arcola, IL from 6:00 to 8:00 pm, Saturday, February 18. Visitation will also be held on Sunday, February 19, from 2:00 -3:00 pm, followed by the funeral at 3:00 pm at the First United Methodist Church, 1601 Charleston, Ave, Mattoon, IL, with Pastor Rev. Ken Hutchens officiating. Internment will be at Dodge Grove Cemetery, Mattoon. A funeral dinner will be held at the First United Methodist Church following the services.

Gail wore many hats in her lifetime, loving daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Her priority during her lifetime was to support her husband and provide opportunities for her children and grandchildren through volunteering with Mattoon Golf & Country Club junior golf, catching for her sons in baseball, providing transportation for children attending band, chorus, golf, basketball, track, cross country, tennis, church youth group and activities.

Gail was a Commercial Real Estate Broker for Fairway Real Estate and worked as a Realtor for Lambert Real Estate. Gail graduated from University City High School in 1951and then attended Washington University in St. Louis, Mo. She attended Lake Land College to complete coursework for her Commercial Realtor Estate Brokers License. For many years she volunteered to deliver Meals on Wheels, was a member of the philanthropic organization, Delta Theta Tau, and was one of the original singers in the Joyful Singers at The First United Methodist Church in Mattoon where she was an active member. She enjoyed playing golf with the Ladies Golf Association at the Mattoon Golf & Country Club and enjoyed playing gin rummy and contract bridge with her friends. Gail enjoyed oil painting in the early years. A special joy of hers was gardening cannas and iris flowers. Gail was excited when she achieved a hole in 1 on hole number 11 at the Mattoon Golf & Country Club during the Ardell Spalding Open golf tournament in 1989 and won a Nissan Automobile.


Gail was born October 31, 1933 in St.Louis, MO, the daughter of William Henry and Margaret Mary (Higgins) Simms. They preceded her in death. Gail married Edward John Behm of Chebanse, IL on September 4, 1954 in Champaign IL. They spent a lifetime together as best friends. Gail is survived by her husband Edward John Behm of Mattoon, daughters Rev. Cathy Leigh (Kerry Lee) Minor of Mattoon and Mary Susan (Daniel Lee) Helfrich of Lovington, IL; sons Edward John (Elizabeth,"Lisa") Behm Jr. of Houston, TX, and Rev. William Scottie Gerard (Sarah Marie) Behm of Claremore, OK. Gail enjoyed her grandchildren, Dr. Kyle Daniel (Anna Milena) Minor of Avondale Estates, GA, Courtney Elizabeth Minor of West Lafayette, IN, Edward John ( Dazy Victoria) Behm III of Bakersfield, CA, Margarete Elise Behm, Mary Sarah Behm, both of Tulsa, OK, David Ryan Behm of Houston TX, William Trevor Behm, Riley Scott Behm, both of Norman, OK, Timothy John Glen Behm, in the U S Navy, stationed at San Diego, CA, Joseph Brett Behm and Andrew James Behm of Claremore, OK, Mary Katherine "Katie" (Timothy James) Conlin, of Sullivan, IL, Benjamin Daniel Helfrich and Sarah Grayce Helfrich both of Lovington, IL; Four great-grandchildren Olivia Jane Minor of Avondale Estates, GA, Edan Orion Behm and Nikolai Corran Behm of Bakersfield, CA, and Christian Antony Craig of Sullivan, IL.

In honor of Gail's spirit, the family requests that memorial contributions in her honor be made to the First United Methodist Church, or the Donors Choice.

Online condolences to the family may be sent to www.hilligossshraderfh.com.