Beverly J. Bradley

Beverly J. Bradley

Age 87 and a lifelong resident of Morris, Illinois, died Saturday morning, October 10, 2026 at Serenity Estates of Morris.

Born July 28, 1939, in Morris, Beverly Jean was a daughter of Magnus and Mabel (Mikkelson) Mickelson. She was raised in her hometown and graduated from Morris Community High School with the Class of 1957.

Following graduation, Beverly began her career with Illinois Bell Telephone Company as a telephone operator. Over the next 37 years, she built a dedicated and successful career advancing into a supervisory role before retiring from AT&T on December 1, 1994.

Throughout her life, Beverly valued the friendships, traditions, and simple pleasures that brought people together. In her younger years, she enjoyed roller skating and developed a close circle of high school friends affectionately known as “Club”. What began as youthful friendships grew into lifelong bonds, with the group faithfully gathering each month for more than five decades. Those enduring relationships and the memories made along the way remained a treasured part of Beverly’s life.

Beverly also enjoyed many years of league bowling alongside her late husband, Ken, and shared a love of travel that took her to destinations throughout the United States and Canada. A familiar and much-anticipated tradition was the annual Corn Fest celebration in Morris, an event she looked forward to each year. She was always ready for a good game of cards and especially appreciated the opportunity to visit, share stories, and enjoy the company of others.

Above all, Beverly was someone who cherished the people in her life. Whether gathered around a card table, reconnecting with longtime friends, or simply spending time with family, she found happiness in togetherness. Her life was enriched by the relationships she nurtured, the traditions she embraced, and the many memories she shared with those fortunate enough to know her.

Survivors include her children: Cheryl (DeChausse) Simmons and her late husband James of Morris, Carin (DeChausse) Jourdan and her husband Perry of Sandoval, Illinois, Loretta (DeChausse) Nordon of Osage Beach, Missouri, Randy (Mary) Bradley of Dwight, Illinois and Diane (Scott) Welch of North Carolina; grandchildren: Jay, Anthony, Tiffany, Jacob, Adam, Emma, Molly, Jessica, Doug and Katie; numerous great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews, as well as special lifelong friend Ruthie Cheshareck.

Beverly was preceded in death by her parents; husband Kenneth Bradley on March 17, 2011; son-in-law, James Simmons, Jr., and her brother and sister-in-law, Marvin “Sonny” and Beverly Mickelson.

The family will receive friends for a visitation at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 202 West Jefferson Street in Morris on Thursday October 15, 2026 from 11:00 a.m. until time of funeral service 12:00 Noon. Pastor Patrick Lohse will officiate, and burial will follow in Saratoga Cemetery in Morris, where Beverly will be laid to rest alongside her late husband, Ken.

Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Beverly’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association.

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the staff and caregivers at Park Pointe Serenity Estates for their dedicated attention over the past 5 years.

Family and friends are encouraged to log onto www.FrulandFuneral.com to sign the guest book, upload photographs and share Beverly’s memorial page online through social media.

Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Reeves Fruland & Baskerville Funeral Homes and Crematory. (815/942-0700)