Beckman, Wilbert (Captain) James

Wilbert (Captain) James Beckman, 92, of Bettendorf, formerly of Cedar Rapids, died Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2009, following an extended illness. Visitation will be Monday, Jan. 4, at 9:30 a.m. at St. Jude Catholic Church, with a memorial mass following at 10:30. Burial will be at St. Joseph Cemetery. Teahen Funeral Home is serving the family.

Wilbert was born Nov. 30, 1917, in St. Paul, Minn., the son of William and Sarah (Daley) Beckman. He married Margaret Miller on April 3, 1941, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Cedar Rapids. He served in the Navy during World War II and for 33 years was a fireman with the Cedar Rapids Fire Department, attaining the rank of captain. He was in command of the central fire station. After his retirement from the fire department Wilbert worked for nine years at Jefferson High School as a security guard. He was an avid Iowa Hawkeye and Chicago Cubs fan and was involved with Cedar Rapids kid league baseball for many years. He enjoyed fishing and spending time with family and friends.

Wilbert is survived by his wife, Margaret; two sons, James (Janell) Beckman of Lake Wales, Fla., and Steve (Jane) Beckman of Bettendorf; three grandchildren, Jay, Las Vegas, Nev., Lindsay (Josh) Skeen, Apex, N.C., and Sara (Matt) Alexander, Fox Point, Wis.; one great-granddaughter, Rory Jane Skeen; brother, Jack (Jo) of Chino Valley, Ariz.; sister, Hellen Kinzey, Moline, Ill.; sister-in-law, Audrey Divilbiss, Lubbock, Texas; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Bill.

Memorials may be directed to the Sisters of Humility, 820 W. Central Park Ave., Davenport, IA 52804.

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