Mary Belle Kaler Beckman, of Lone Oak, Kentucky, passed away on Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at 7:00 P.M.
Mary Belle was born in Graves County, Kentucky on Wednesday, July 11, 1928 to David Lee and Clara Belle Shelton Kaler. At the age of 11 years old, she became a member of Spring Creek Church of Christ. She was valedictorian of her class at Symsonia High School in 1946. Mary Belle went on to Murray State College for four years, receiving a teaching degree as well as a business office degree in 1951. Following her graduation, she went to work at Union Carbide (USEC). There she met her future husband, Fred Palmer Beckman. They married in 1953, settled in Lone Oak, and started a family of three sons. She taught middle and high school for 30 years, primarily in the Lone Oak School System, having more than 3,500 students pass through her classroom. After retirement, Mary Belle and Fred travelled extensively, visiting all 50 states. They also visited Canada, several European countries, South America, Asia, and four cruises.
Mrs. Beckman is survived by her sons, Joe Frederick Beckman of Bowling Green, Kentucky, Kent Cullen Beckman of Lone Oak, and Philip Wesley Beckman (Phyllis) of Zachary, Louisiana; five grandchildren, Amanda Balcerzak (Chris) of Lone Oak, Emily Thompson (Brian) of Fishers, Indiana, Brynnan Beckman of Bowling Green, Melanie Beckman of New York City, New York, and Scott Beckman of Shreveport, Louisiana; three great grandchildren, Daniel and Hannah Balcerzak of Lone Oak, Taylor Thompson of Fishers; her sister, June Mohler of Dogwood, Kentucky; several nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Beckman was preceded in death her husband of 67 years, Fred Palmer Beckman; her parents, David Lee Kaler and Clara Belle Shelton Kaler; her brothers, James Howard “Bud “ Kaler, Aaron Lee “Bill” Kaler, Russell Mark Kaler, Andrew Jackson Kaler, and Jerry Don Kaler; her sisters, Marie Wyman, Emma Lou Boaz, Martha “Tootsie” Reid, Ruth Sans Soucie, Peggy Wallace, and Betty Warthen.
Funeral Services are scheduled for 1:00 P.M. Tuesday, May 21, 2024 at the Lone Oak Chapel of Milner & Orr Funeral Homes with John West officiating. Burial will follow at Spring Creek Church of Christ Cemetery in Dogwood, Kentucky.
Visitation will be held from 11:00 A.M.- 1:00 P.M. Tuesday, May 21, 2024 at the Lone Oak Chapel.
Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or Norton Children’s Hospital, 231 E. Chestnut, Louisville, KY 40202.
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