Obituary of Beth Keeler Wham

Anita Beth Keeler Wham, 98, of Hightstown-East Windsor passed away Thursday, June 29, 2023 at Meadow Lakes, East Windsor.

Born in Trenton on November 30, 1924, Mrs. Wham was raised in Hightstown on South Main St.  She attended the University of Tennessee where she received her Bachelor (1946) and Master’s Degrees (1947).  While in college, Beth met her future husband, George.  They wed in Hightstown on September 13, 1947.  Beth and George then went to Pennsylvania State University where Beth served as the Art Department Head while George continued his studies.  After a short stint in Denton, TX, they returned to Hightstown in 1954 and settled on East Ward Street for almost 50 years.  They became residents at Meadow Lakes in 2002.

Mrs. Wham was a longtime member of the Hightstown Baptist Church as well as the Hightstown Friday Club, the Woman’s Club, and Historical Society.

A gifted artist, Mrs. Wham created and displayed many original and award-winning paintings, both in oils and watercolors throughout her lifetime.  And she also enjoyed designing and making jewelry and necklaces.  She was known for using big, bold stones in her jewelry.  She loved to draw room and house plans and several of her plans were constructed.  Beth was a principal proponent for creating the new Meadow Lakes Art Room and painted the conceptual design for the room’s layout.  

Eschewing the cell phone and personal computer, Beth was a prolific and punctual letter writer and will be remembered for her lovely handwritten notes on greeting cards of her own creation.

Above all else, Mrs. Wham was a devoted and generous mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend.

Predeceased by her parents, Norman and Florence (Reeves) Keeler; and her husband of 70 years, George S. Wham; Mrs. Wham is survived by her children and their spouses, Brent and Janet (Taylor) Wham, Bonnie and David Prutow, and Barry and Liz (Parker Hall) Wham; her grandchildren and their spouses, Michael Wham and fiancée Swati (Shah), Scott and Colleen (Madden) Wham, Lauren and Greg McKenna,  Erin and Pete Martich, Brad Wham, Amy and Marty Geiger, and Christy Wham;  her great grandchildren, Zoë and Avery McKenna, Finley, Jack and Lucy Geiger, and George Wham;  her sister-in-law, Mary Wham James; and many other extended family members.

Visitation for family and friends will be held on Monday, July 3, 2023 from 12:00 pm until 1:00 pm at Simplicity Funeral and Cremation Services at Glackin Chapel, 136 Morrison Ave., Hightstown, NJ.  Graveside services and interment will follow at 1:30 pm at the Cedar Hill Cemetery, Mercer Street, Hightstown, New Jersey.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Mrs. Wham’s memory to Meadow Lakes Employee Education Fund, payable to Meadow Lakes Forum, with a memo denoting the Education Award Fund, 82 Meadow Lakes, Hightstown NJ 08520.