Before her marriage, Pellagia had a career as a secretary at a variety of businesses, including Parks Air College, where she met the lifelong friend who would introduce her to her husband. She married Charles H. Beckfeld on April 30, 1949. They raised their family of three daughters in St. Mary’s Parish in Belleville. Mrs. Beckfeld was an active member of St. Mary’s Mothers Club and Sodality and served as a Girl Scout leader. A member of the Junior Women’s Club and later a member of Homemakers, she also found time to participate in women’s and couple’s bridge groups. When her family was grown, she had a rewarding second career as a part-time secretary at St. Mary’s School. She volunteered with the Belleville Diocesan Ministry to the Sick & Aged, Meals-on-Wheels, and the Red Cross. She was also an active member of the Ladies Auxiliary of Knights of Columbus Council 1028. Pellagia resided most of her adult life in Swansea, IL, but she enjoyed a very happy last 17 months of her life at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows Apartment Community. There she both cherished lifelong friendships and made new friends, especially in playing bridge, dominoes, and other card games.
Mrs. Beckfeld was preceded in death by her husband Charles on October 28, 2004; her parents, John and Maryanna, nee Gajda, Malec; five brothers and two sisters, Mitchell Malec, Jeanette Majewski, Zdzislaw Malec, Thaddeaus Malec, Z. John Malec, Rev. Raymund Malec, and Virginia Malec.
Surviving are her three daughters, Mary (Scott) Reynolds of Northbrook, IL,
Margaret (Tom) Reaka of Freeburg, IL,
and Jean Marie (Steve) Williams of Wheeling, IL;
her grandchildren, Brian (Traci) Reaka, Rachelle (Darrin) Fizer,
Elizabeth Williams, Diane (Colin) Danley, and Nicholas Reynolds;
her great-granchildren to whom she was proudly known as “Gigi”,
Haley and David Fizer and Bailee Reaka;
two sisters, Irene Vornbaum and Florence Carr;
three sisters-in-law, Theodora Grummel, Rosie Lodes, and Teresa (Allen) Hartman;
and numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be made to The Newman Fund, c/o Knights of Columbus Council 1028, or to Hospice of Southern Illinois. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Visitation: Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday, January 18, 2015, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL, and from 10 to 11:15 a.m. Monday, January 19, 2015, at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows Apartment Community Chapel, Belleville, IL.
Funeral: A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:15 a.m. Monday, January 19, 2015, at the Shrine Apartment Community Chapel. Burial will follow at Green Mount Catholic Cemetery, Belleville, IL.
Condolences Left For Pellagia Beckfeld
I extend my condolences and prayers to Pel’s family. May God grant her eternal joy, and give you comfort and peace.
fr. Gene Neff
Fr. Gene Neff, New Baden, IL, 62265
Thoughts and prayers with your entire family. Your mom lived an exemplary life and helped and loved so many she will be sorely missed.
Bob Williams, Vernon Hills, Illinois, 60061
Sorry For Your Loss. Please accept this electronic message in addition to a Sympathy Card sent to home address. Local National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE) volunteers provide help in reporting the death of any federal civilian retiree or a retiree’s spouse to proper authorities. They will explain the process as needed and if requested, can report the death to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) for you. The NARFE Service Center is located in building 50, Scott AFB. You may visit the Service Center on Tuesdays, 10AM to 2PM or call 618-256-9350. You may leave a voice mail message at other times and we will return your call the following Tuesday. You may also call either of our Service Officers, Gene Wiggins at 618 566-7980 or Dean Hemmer at 618 233-3819, for immediate assistance if required.
Gene Wiggins NARFE Chap 1019, Mascoutah, Illinois, 62258-1318
Each of these communities sends our deepest condolences out to brian and margrets families.
southern IL tec and cursillo families, carbondale, il, 62901
We are very sorry for your loss. May all the happy memories you have help to ease the pain.
Vince and Ann Drexelius, Caulfield, MO, 65626
My deepest sympathies on Pel’s passing. She was an extraordinary woman and a good friend. I will miss her.
Helen M. Yoch, Belleville, IL, 62220