Ivan W. Behm
Passed away on November 2, 2024
Ivan William Behm, age 96, of Orland Park, Illinois passed away peacefully on November 2, 2024. Ivan was the beloved son of the late George J. and Pearl S. (Hayes) Behm, preceded in death by his beloved wife of 64 years, Charlotte L. (Schrey), brothers Warren (Marge) Behm of Arvada, Colorado, Donald (Susan) Behm of New Lenox, Illinois and sister Doreen (late Herbert) Aicher of Manteno, Illinois. Left to cherish his memories are son David (Alecia) Behm of Lawton, Oklahoma, daughters Karen (William) Kuhn of Dyer, Indiana and Susan (William) Baldauf of Lemont, Illinois, brother Edward (Judith) Behm of Mobile, Alabama, sisters-in-law, June (late Wesley) Larson of Scottsdale, Arizona, and Carole (late Charles) Schrey of Lemont, Illinois, seven grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Ivan was born November 10, 1927 in South Chicago Heights, Illinois. He was a graduate of Thornton Township High School in Harvey, Illinois in 1945. He was a proud Veteran of WWII serving 18 months in the Army-Engineering at Fort Polk, Louisiana, Camp Stoneman, California, Fort Eustis, Virginia and Fort Belvoir, Virginia and honorably discharged in 1947. After a short employment with Whiting Steel Drafting, Ivan attended Letourneau University on a GI Bill in 1951 and attended and graduated from Bradley University, Peoria, Illinois in 1954 with a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering. He then pursued his career in Electrical Engineering as he was employed by Commonwealth Edison from 1954-1987. After retirement he worked as a Safety Director for WMC from 2002-2007.
Ivan’s passions and hobbies included all sports, especially watching baseball and playing catcher, playing poker, motorcycle riding, bowling, camping, canoeing, fishing, stock car racing, riding horses, gardening, volunteering for the Boy Scouts, and being Mr. Fix-it. He was a wonderful son, husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather and great-grandfather who will truly be missed but will always be remembered as the biggest Cubs fan. Ivan was a man of few words but his life philosophy was “Any job worth doing is a job worth doing right.”
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to Suncrest Hospice, 5 Revere Drive, Northbrook, Illinois 60062, phone (847) 983-0017. Interment of cremains will be at Christ Lutheran Church Cemetery, Orland Park, Illinois at a later date.