Elsie L. “Dolly” Beam, 83, of Allentown, died Jan. 3, 2016 in the home of her son, Thomas R. Beam of Orefield.

She was the wife of the late Robert E. Beam.

Born Feb. 2, 1932, in Fountain Hill, she was the daughter of the late Robert G. and Grace Evelyn (Lafaw) Ruppert.

She was a security guard for Allied Security at Lucent Technology from 1990-2006.

Prior to that, she was a food service worker in the cafeteria of Springhouse Middle School, South Whitehall, from 1975-88, and a sewing machine operator at the former Hemlock Mfg., Allentown, for 16 years.

Active in the life of her church and community, she was a member of Union Evangelical Lutheran Church, Schnecksville where she served as eucharistic minister.

She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, New Temple Chapter 298, Macungie, the Embroidering Guild of the Lehigh Valley, former Den Mother of Cub Scout Pack 8, Greenawalds, and a former Judge of Elections for South Whitehall Township.

Her survivors include children Carol L. Gilbert and her husband, Jeff, of Whitehall, George E. Beam and his wife, Elaine, of Slatington, Thomas R. Beam and his wife, Rose, of Orefield; daughter-in-law, Kimberly A. Beam of Schnecksville; sisters Pauline E. Silfies of Allentown, Shirley A. Pinard of Bethlehem, Carol R. Reichl of Orefield; 10 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren;

She was predeceased by a son, David B.; grandson, John M. Gilbert; and brothers Robert G. and Charles H. Ruppert.

Her funeral service will be 1 p.m. Jan. 7 at Union Evangelical Lutheran Church, 5500 PA Route 873, Schnecksville, with the Rev. Dennis W. Moore officiating.

Family and friends may pay their respects 11:45-1 p.m. Thursday in the church narthex.

Eastern Star service at 11:30 a.m. Interment will follow the service at Union Church Cemetery, Neffs.

Expressions of sympathy may be left at heintzelmancares.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the church memorial fund c/o the funeral home, P.O. Box 196, Schnecksville, PA 18078-0196.

Arrangements were made by Heintzelman Funeral Home Inc., Schnecksville.