Catherine Ann Began, 83 of Effingham, passed away Friday, September 17, 2021 at Lakeland Rehabilitation and Health Care Center in Effingham.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 21, 2021 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Effingham with burial in St. Anthony Cemetery. Memorial donations may be given to the Sacred Heart School PTA.

Ann was born October 28, 1937 in Effingham, the daughter of Charles and Dora (Fromme) Dirks. She married Thomas A. Began on October 4, 1958 at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Effingham and he preceded her in death on June 6, 2021. Ann was a long-time member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Effingham and was a cook at Central School in Effingham for over 20 years.

Ann is survived by her children, Michael Allen (Alison) Began of Watson, Nancy Ann (Marty) Huskey of Vandalia and Robert Anthony (Julie) Began of Altamont; eight grandchildren, Michael Began of Watson, Maria Began of Watson, David (Brittney) Crye of Vandalia, Dustin Crye of Granite City, Danielle (Skylar) Harrison of Vandalia, Hannah (Brandon) Bigard of Greenup, Tad (Mason) Huskey of Mechanicsburg and Craig (Christina) Huskey of Vandalia; eight great-grandchildren.

Ann was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Tom; infant son, Thomas; granddaughter, Heather Began and son-in-law, Dave Crye Jr.