Alvin Wilfred Beck

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Alvin Wilfred Beck, age 70, of Pinckneyville, Ill. passed away on Monday, Aug. 3, 2009, in his home.

Alvin was born on Oct. 16, 1938 in Pinckneyville, Ill., a son to Wilbert and Hildegarde Anna Marie ( nee Wagner) Beck. He was baptized into Christ on Nov. 6, 1938, at Immanuel Lutheran Church (Lost Prairie) Pinckneyville, Ill. After biblical instruction in the basics of Christian teachings, he confirmed his baptismal commitment as a Lutheran at Immanuel Lutheran Church on March 18, 1951. When he passed away, Alvin was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Pinckneyville, Ill.

He was educated in the Lutheran and public schools of Pinckneyville; he graduated from Pinckneyville, Community High School in 1956. After serving in the United States Army, he studied aeronautics and aerospace engineering at Parks College of St. Louis University. He graduated Magna cum Laude on Dec. 13, 1967 with a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering Degree. He worked at Grumman Aircraft Company, Farmingdale, Long Island, New York for a few years. He moved back to Pinckneyville and worked as a project preparation engineer at Consolidation Coal. Alvin also worked as a mechanical and process engineer at Fruco Engineering and a general engineer at the U.S. Army Aviation and Troop Command, both in St. Louis.

On May 12, 1973, he and Carol Schrader were married at Trinity Lutheran Church, Conant; later, they divorced.

He enjoyed music. He played in several bands in the St. Louis area, including the Bud Light Brigade Marching Band, the Waterloo Municipal Band, the Deutschmeister German Band, and the Shriner's Aniad Brass Marching Band. He played his trombone and guitar and sang at many community events. He also composed and arranged many musical pieces.

Alvin is survived by one brother: Loren Beck of Anna, Ill., two sisters: Margaret (Reverend James) Cumming of La Crosse, Wisc. and Ruth Quillen of Bakersfield, Calif., brother-in-law: Clifford Colbert of Du Quoin, Ill., nieces and nephews: Amy Colbert and Michael Colbert of Du Quoin, Ill., Carol (Kevin) Arlt of La Crosse, Wisc., David (Brenda) Cumming of Allen, Tex., Dr. Christine (Dr. Brent) Strunk of Monroe, La., and many great-nieces and great-nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister: Eunice Colbert.

On Aug. 6, 2009, his body was laid to rest at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery, Conant, Ill. A memorial service was held at Zion Lutheran Church, Pinckneyville, Ill. on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. with Reverend James T. Cumming officiating. Friends called at the church from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.

Memorials may be made to Zion Lutheran Church or Trinity Lutheran Cemetery Association.

For more information or to sign an online guest register, please visit www.pyattfuneralhome.com.