Lester C. Beckman

Lester C. Beckman, 99, of Murphysboro passed away at 10:35pm on Thursday, June 6, 2013 at home. Lester was born December 15, 1913 in Ava, Illinois a son to the late Fritz H. and Anna (Meyerhoff) Beckmann. He was united in marriage to Florence L. Guetersloh on September 27, 1942 in Jacob, IL., Florence preceded him in death on May 14, 1988. On July 5, 1991 he was united in marriage to Susan (Clark) Bean in Paducah, KY., Susan survives of Murphysboro. Lester was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Murphysboro; he was a U. S. Army veteran in WWII, attaining the rank of First Sergeant, he served in the American, European, African, and Middle Eastern Theatres. He worked in sales at Beckman Implement Co. in Murphysboro with his brother Ferd for several years, later he was employed by the Southern Illinois Airport in the maintenance department and retired as maintenance supervisor at Southern Illinois Airport; he was also a member of V.F.W. Post 7190 in Murphysboro. Funeral services will be at 11am on Monday, June 10, 2013 at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Murphysboro; Rev. Josemon Hoem of the Immanuel Lutheran Church will officiate. Interment will follow at Pleasant Grove Memorial Park near Murphysboro with military rites by the American Legion Paul Stout Post 127 and V.F.W. Post 7190 both of Murphysboro, V.F.W Post 2605 of Carbondale and the Jackson County Disabled American Veterans Chapter 69. Visitation will be from 9:30 until 11am on Monday at Immanuel Lutheran Church. Memorials are encouraged and may be made to the Immanuel Lutheran School. Survivors include his wife; Susan Beckman of Murphysboro, two daughters and sons-in-law; Cheryl and Jerry Snyder of Murphysboro and Marcia and James Prather of Las Vegas, NV., one son and daughter-in-law; Ronald and Loreta Beckman of High Ridge, MO., eight grandchildren; Derek Pelzer, Tiffane Pelzer, Adrienne Marcos, Alexander Prather, Abigail Prather, Austin Prather, Ashleigh Kesel and Seth Beckman, six great grandchildren, one brother and sister-in-law; Clarence F. and Eunice Beckman of Jacob, IL., two step-sons; David Bean of Thailand, and Michael Bean of Germany, three step-grandchildren; Tamara Pagan, Justin Bean and Jocelyn Bean, three step-great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, first wife Florence, one infant son; Terry Beckman, one sister; Amanda Fromme and four brothers; Ferd Beckman, Walter Beckman, Harry Beckman, and Raymond Beckmann, and one son-in-law: Alan Pelzer.

Lester C. Beckman

December 15, 1913 - June 6, 2013