92, of St. Louis County passed away Monday, March 25, 2024, fortified with the Sacrament of our Lord, Dan was the beloved husband of 68 years of Anita M. Beckerle (nee Stummer), father of Dan Jr. (Susie), Jim (Jane), Pat (Rosanne), Joe (Diane), Mary (Scott) Brummell, Tim (the late Kelly, nee Hennessey), Mike (Stacie), and Teresa (John) Jellison. Grandfather of 27 and Great-Grandfather of 13 and Uncle to dozens of Nieces and Nephews. He was preceded in death by sons Theodore G. and William G. Beckerle; parents, Frank Beckerle and Mary Catherine (Pieper), five brothers, three sisters and their spouses.
Dan graduated from St. Mary’s South Side Catholic High School in 1949. He worked for Midwest Flooring until he was drafted. He served in the Army from August 1952 to August 1954 as an electrician, ultimately attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant in the Corps of Engineers. He married Anita in February 1956. He started Beckerle Carpet Co. – a retail flooring store – in 1962, from which he retired in 1996.
The most important things in Dan’s life were his family and his faith. He was a long-time member of St. Catherine Laboure Parish where he participated in the Men’s Club, Knights of Columbus, served as a Lector, Eucharistic Minister, and Choir member. In addition to his activities at St. Catherine Laboure, he volunteered for many years at Seven Holy Founders Parish in Afton.
Anita and he insisted on a Catholic education for all their children, who attended St. Catherine Laboure School, Chaminade College Prep and Cor Jesu Academy. Throughout his life he was an exemplar of kindness rooted in his faith in God. He always had faith that God would provide for his large family, especially when the next child was on the way. But he was also wise enough to know that hard work would help. Although tested many times while raising nine children his patience seldom ran out. He was a baseball Cardinals fan and kept an extensive vegetable garden for many years. He lived a full, happy and productive life but will still be missed all he left behind.
Services: Funeral from KUTIS AFFTON Chapel 10151 Gravois Tuesday April 2, 9:30 AM to St. Catherine Laboure Catholic Church for 10:00 AM mass. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. Visitation Monday 4:00-8:00 PM.
My heart goes out to the entire Beckerle family. Although I never met Dan Sr. personally, I know several of his kids – especially Mary. What an example of devotion to the Catholic faith Mary has shown me. I know your dad is smiling down from heaven on this family with love and pride. Well done, good and faithful servant.
Mike,
Sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. My prayers are with you and your family.
Anita, I loved playing cards with you and Dan. He lived a good life and passed his joy of living to everyone he met. He will be missed
To the Beckerle Family,
I was a classmate of Dan’s at Holy Family School.
For many years our classmates would get together once a year for a lunch at a restaurant. The Covid sickness put an end to our gathering a few years ago.
Two of his aunts were Sisters of the Most Precious Blood. Sr. Mary Thomas a cook and Sr. Rose Agnes a teacher in the Religious Community that I joined and am still as active as I can be at 92 years old. God bless Dan! A great kid and Gentleman.
Sincerely, Sister Geraldine Vogel
Dan and Anita worked tirelessly for more than 40 years in the Blue Army of Our Lady of Fatima to promote the Fatima Message and the Rosary. They started a Rosary cell group that met weekly at Saint Catherine Laboure. When they moved to our Lady of Life, they began a Rosary group there as well. The fact that Dan died on the feast of the Annunciation is a testament to Our Lady’s pleasure at all Dan accomplished for her. His gentle spirit will be missed by all Blue Army members.