William Beckman Obituary

A Celebration of Life for William Earl Beckman, 91, Lawrence, KS, will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 4, 2012 at Community of Christ Church in Lawrence. Private entombment will be at the Memorial Park Garden Mausoleum in Lawrence. He passed into the loving arms of His Heavenly Father on Friday, February 24, 2012 at Pioneer Ridge in Lawrence. He was born September 25, 1920 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, the son of Lester R. & Sarah Pettit Beckman. During the 30s, his family moved to Paddockwood to farm. It is here where he met and later married Alietha Aspvik on March 11, 1942. A month after his marriage, he was off to serve his country; first on the west coast and then to England. After returning from World War II, he began farming with his brother, Ken. Besides farming, Earl, Ken and their families ran a saw mill, and built and renovated houses in the area. In September, 1963, Earl, Alietha and family moved to Lawrence. He worked for Norris Brothers, American Electric and then Stanion Electric before retiring. Earls belief in Christ and his family have always been the main emphasis for him. He was pastor of the Community of Christ congregations at Paddockwood, Saskatchewan, and Tonganoxie, Kansas. He is survived by his wife Alietha, of the home. Also, three children; Bill & Sharon (Justice) Beckman of Overland Park, KS, Christine & Leon Winters and Marilyn & Verlon Myers of Lawrence, KS. He is also survived by a brother, Ken Beckman of Prince Albert Saskatchewan, seven grandchildren, Martin & Ruth (Todd) Beckman of Michigan; Stacy & Eric Ruvalcava of Overland Park, KS, Kelly & Chris Turner of Wichita, KS, Michelle Myers of Lawrence, Lori Howard of Lawrence, James & Jennifer (Adams) Myers of Lawrence, William Lee & Sarah (Smith) Myers of Hutchinson, KS and fourteen great-grandchildren. Preceding him in death were his son, Clifford, his parents and his sister, Nina Smith. The family suggests memorials in his name to the Community of Christ Church, the Pilot Club, and Grace Hospice, which may be sent in care of the Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence. Online condolences may be sent to www.warrenmcelwain.com