Myrtle Esther Beuckman, age 92, formerly of O'Fallon and East St. Louis, Ill., born in East St. Louis, to Lester A. and Louise, nee Adelsberger, Pfeiffer passed away Sunday morning, July 20, 2008.

Mrs. Beuckman devoted her life to her children, grandchildren and her church as a member of St. Joseph's Mothers' Club, St. Joseph's Altar Society, St. Henry's Seminary Auxiliary and St. Clare's Altar Society and Quilters. She was a former member of the O'Fallon Senior Citizens and was an avid quilter, seamstress, and crafter. She assisted her husband with his volunteer work helping the poor, sick, elderly and lonely, and they received many awards in recognition of their service.

She was preceded in death by her husband Florian, whom she married June 24, 1939, and who passed away September 13, 2002; her parents, a brother L. Edward Pfeiffer, a sister Thelma (Aubrey) Moore and a great-granddaughter Isabelle Yankey.

She is survived by her son Maurice (Sylvia) Beuckman of O'Fallon; a daughter Doris (Jim "Rocky") Gagen of St. Libory, Ill.; grandchildren and great-grandchildren Kim (Lon) Dircks & children Emily, Lily, Jackson, and Amelia of Freeburg; Jamie Beliveau and children Joshua, Bryce, and Camden of Freeburg; Jeff (JoAnne) Gagen and children Alyssa and Brianna of Freeburg; Scott (Andi) Gagen and children Ryleigh, Connor and Olivia of St. Louis, Mo.; Sara (Chris) Yankey and daughter Sophia of Belleville; Kerri (Gil) Gutierrez and son Alexander of Belleville; Mark Gagen, Thomas Gagen, and Jonathan Gagen of St. Libory, Ill.; Ed Reynolds of Austin, Tex.; Steven (Brenda) Reynolds and children Steven and Megan of Starke, Fla.; Joseph Beuckman of Minneapolis, Minn; brother Charles (Doris) Pfeiffer of Belleville; and sisters-in-law, Idamay Pfeiffer, Josephine Beuckman, and Ernestine Beuckman. She was a dear sister-in-law, aunt, great-aunt, great-great-aunt, cousin and friend of many.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial Donations in honor of Myrtle Beuckman are requested to St. Vincent de Paul Society, Catholic Urban Programs, or St. Clare Catholic Church.

Visitation: Friends may call 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 22, 2008 at Wolfersberger Funeral Home. A Prayer Service will be held at 6:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Visitation will continue at 9:00 a.m., Wednesday, July 23, 2008 at St. Clare Catholic Church, O'Fallon, Ill.

Mass of Christian Burial: 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, July 23, 2008 at St. Clare Catholic Church, O'Fallon, Ill. with interment at Mount Carmel Catholic Cemetery, Belleville, Ill., Rev. James Deiters presiding.