E. J. Beck

E. J. Beck, age 85 of Higginsville, Missouri died on Thursday, March 17, 2011, at Meyer Care Center in Higginsville. Born Sunday, August 9, 1925 in Higginsville, he was the son of Joseph Beck & Irene Gassen Beck. He married Helen Marie Holbert September 24, 1947. He served in the U.S. Navy during WWII, ranking Fireman, First Class. E.J. lived most of his life in Higginsville. He worked for Lefman Electric for 15 years, operated Spotless Cleaners, worked as a salesman for National Life Insurance and then he & his wife, Helen, owned & operated Beck's Cafe in Higginsville. He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, Higginsville, the Knights of Columbus & Higginsville American Legion Post #223. Preceded in death are his parents, a son, Steven Ray Beck; & a sister, Marjorie Beck. Surviving are his wife, Helen, of Higginsville; son, Richard A. Beck of Grandview, Missouri, daughter, Linda (Mike) Marrs of Grandview, Missouri; brother, Robert (Barbara) Beck of Higginsville, Missouri; sisters, Rosemary Wise of Marshall, Missouri, Doris (Ralph) Franklin of Higginsville, Missouri, Joann (Gilbert) Bell of Columbia, Missouri & Juanita (Darrel) Rinne of Higginsville, Missouri; five grandchildren, Angela Marrs, Holli Marrs, Trevor Beck, Tyler Beck, & Brenton Beck; two great grandchildren, Michelle Marrs & Connor Beck. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Monday, March 21, 2011 at St. Mary's Catholic Church with the Father Thomas Hawkins, celebrant & Virginia Graham, organist. Interment will be in Missouri Veterans Cemetery, Higginsville, Missouri. The family will receive friends from 2:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. on Sunday, March 20, 2011, at Hoefer Funeral Home, 1600 Main St., Higginsville, Missouri, with a Rosary at 4:00 P.M. In Lieu of flowers, the Family suggests Memorials to the Lafayette Co. Special Olympics Fund, c/o Patty Hayes, 2310 Highway 13, Suite 103, Higginsville. Pallbearers are Greg Wise, Bobby Wise, Vince Bell, Roger Rinne, Phillip Wise, Chris Franklin. Honorary Pallbearers are Doug Wise, Gary Franklin, David Bell, Jim Bell, Brian Beck & Joey Beck. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.hoeferfuneralhome.com

E. J. Beck

August 9, 1925 - March 17, 2011