Heather L. Began (25) of Avondale, Arizona, formerly of Altamont

Heather L. Began, 25, of Avondale, AZ, formerly of Altamont, died at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, October 5, 2019, in Phoenix, AZ, as the result of injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident.

A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, October 14 at Cornerstone Christian Church in Effingham with Pastor Jim Nash officiating. Visitation will be from 3-7 p.m. Sunday at the church. Burial will follow at Union Cemetery, Altamont. Memorials may be made to the Heather Began Education Fund.

Heather was born in Effingham, IL on Thursday, October 7, 1993 to Robert and Julie (Osteen) Began. She was a graduate of Altamont Community High School, Lake Land College and Eastern Illinois University. She was a first-grade teacher at Estrella Vista Elementary School in Avondale, AZ. Heather was a member of Christ Church of the Valley, Avondale Campus. She enjoyed volunteer work in the children’s program and other missionary work beyond that. She volunteered at the Nino Mason Pulliam Rio Salado Audubon Center in Phoenix, AZ. She loved hiking, camping, and tubing. She loved to learn, explore, live life to the fullest, and was always awaiting the next adventure.

In addition to her parents, Heather is survived by her sister, Hannah Began, Altamont; maternal grandparents, Buddy (Judi) Osteen, Altamont; paternal grandparents, Tom and Ann Began, Effingham; aunts and uncles, Ryan (Kirsten) Osteen, Altamont, Dustin Osteen, Effingham, Nancy (Marty) Huskey, Vandalia, Mike (Alison) Began, Watson; as well as many cousins and friends.

She was preceded in death by her grandmother Margie Osteen.

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