Charles R. “Charlie” Beecher

BEECHER, Charles R. (Charlie), 86, of Benwood, WV, passed away peacefully November 28, 2015, surrounded by his family at his daughter’s home in McMechen. He was born February 10, 1929, son of the late Edward D. and Leona (Miller) Beecher. Charlie was a 1947 graduate of Union High School where he excelled at football, basketball and track. He was a Korean War Veteran serving as a MP in the U.S. Army and a 40 year retiree of Wheeling Pittsburgh Steel, Benwood WV. Charlie was a Lutheran by faith; a highly recognized and dedicated 43 year Freemason where he taught Freemasonry with the Union Chapter #1 Royal Arch Masons and Bates Lodge #33 Wheeling; a 32nd Degree with the Wheeling Scottish Rite of Freemasonry; a 42 year member of the El Tor Grotto, Wheeling; the Osiris Shriners in Wheeling; the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Moundsville; and a 41 year member of the American Legion Post #46 in Benwood. Charlie loved the outdoors, gardening, fishing, family trips to Kelley’s Island, and was an avid hunter, specializing in rabbit hunting when he was younger. He enjoyed cooking, wine making, football, basketball, baseball, soccer and wood working. He loved watching his children and grandchildren play various sports. Charlie was a minstrel singer/performer, and once sang for the former WV Governor Arch A. Moore, Jr. at a Memorial Day celebration. He loved entertaining his family with stories of his childhood shenanigans, telling jokes and singing whimsical made up songs.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his three brothers, Edward, Albert and Raymond Beecher; one sister, Betty Beecher; ex-wife, Mary Margaret “Marge” Quigley Beecher Morris; and one niece, Shirley Beecher Jeffers. Charlie is survived by his four children, Linda Marie (John) Beecher Beckett of Shadyside, OH, Charlotte Beecher Morris Robbins of McMechen, WV, Charles Edward (Darlene) Beecher of Wheeling, WV, and Cynthia K. (Michael) Beecher Morris Becker of Columbus, OH. He was known as “Pap Buck” to his eight grandchildren, John C. (Cathy) Beckett of Shadyside, OH, Heather L. (Stevie) Beckett Destifanes of Shadyside, OH, Ricky A. (Heather) Robbins of Wheeling WV, Jennifer L. (Patrick) Beecher Parento of Union, KY, David M. (Marcie) Robbins of Moundsville, WV, Heath D. Beecher of Cocoa, FL, Cory M. Becker of Wheeling, WV, and Katelyn M. Becker of Columbus, OH; and seven great-grandchildren, Kylee Beckett, Sydnie Destifanes, Korey Beckett and Kenzie Beckett of Shadyside, OH, Crew and Cy Parento of Union, KY, and Carter Robbins of Moundsville, WV. Also surviving are his sister-in-law, Mary Beecher of Moundsville, WV; nephew, Ted Beecher of Moundsville, WV and niece, Jade Jeffers of Moundsville, WV.
Family and friends will be received Tuesday, December 1, 2015 from 11-1pm & 6-8 p.m. at the Altmeyer Funeral Home, Benwood-McMechen Chapel, 214 Marshall St., McMechen, WV where funeral services will be held Wednesday, December 2, 2015 at 11am. Masonic funeral services and military graveside rites will follow at Greenwood Cemetery, 1526 National Road, Wheeling, WV. Memorial contributions may be made to the Masonic Lodge, Wheeling Union Chapter #1 RAM, Wheeling, WV. Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.altmeyer.com.