John Edward Beckman
Born: October 26th, 1917
Died: August 22nd, 1996
Obituary
J. Edward “Smilin Ed” Beckman sr., 78, or 634 Ramsey St., West Burlington, died at 4:14 am Thursday, Aug. 22, 1996, at Burlington Medical Center.
Born Oct. 26, 1917, at Dodgeville, he was the son of Edward John and Cecelia Julia Walters Beckman. He married Grace Ireland McDonald on Feb. 25, 1941, at Dodgeville.
He was a 1935 graduate of Sperry High School and was an Army veteran of WWII.
Mr. Beckman was an Honorary Life and Fourth Degree Member of Knights of Columbus served as Black Knight, was a member of Keenagers and St. Mary’s Catholic Church, and was a past member of the Eagles, Elks, and Kiwanis. He was an avid hunter and fisherman.
Mr. Beckman was a machinist and salesman for Skerik Parts Service Co. for 15 years. He operated the Holiday Shell Service Station, where he was known as “Smilin’ Ed”, for 13 years and operated Beckman’s Texaco for eight years, retiring in August 1984.
Survivors include his wife, Grace; three daughters, Barbara Farrell, Patricia Weiland, and Joanne Prugh, all of Burlington; two sons, John Beckman of Waterloo, and Thomas Beckman of West Burlington; seven grandsons; five granddaughters; two great-granddaughters; two brothers, Harold T. Beckman of Council Bluffs, and Joseph T. Beckman of Sperry; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister.
The rosary will be recited at 7 pm today, followed by the family receiving friends until 8:30 pm at Prugh Funeral service.
The funeral for Mr. Beckman will be at 10 am Saturday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church with the Rev. Patrick Murphy, OSA, officiating. Burial will be in Aspen Grove Cemetery.
Memorials have been established for Hope Haven Development Center and St. Mary’s Catholic Church.