Bill Beeler

CAIRO, Ill. -- William R. "Bill" Beeler, 92, of Cairo died Sunday, June 10, 2012, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

He was born July 7, 1919, son of Carl and Zellia Johnston Beeler. He married O. Blanche Gardner, who preceded him in death in 2009.

Beeler served his country honorably during World War II.

He was the oldest member of Cairo VFW Post 2649. He had been a painter in Cairo all his life.

Survivors include three children, Peggy Klein of Cairo, Marsha Huddleston of Destrehan, La., the Rev. Thomas Beeler of Cape Girardeau; six grandchildren, Amy (Mike) Farrow of Cairo, Laura (Kyle) Hunter of Cape Girardeau, Bryan (Tina) Klein of Wickliffe, Ky., Robert, Rebecca and Josh Huddleston of Louisiana; three great-grandchildren, Jason (Rachel) Brinkmeyer of Jackson, Tenn., Amanda Limbaugh of Jackson, Mo., Matt Flanagan of Cape Girardeau; five great-great-grandchildren, Taylen Limbaugh, Nora Brinkmeyer, Angelica Duran-Brinkmeyer, Cameron Harris and Payten Harris; four siblings, Linda (Curtis) Jobe of Sikeston, Mo., Ladone Shupe of Paducah, Ky., Mary Ellen Theobald of Jackson, Mich., and Carl "Sally" Beeler of Paducah.

He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, three sisters and two brothers.

Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to service time Friday at Mighty Rivers Worship Center in Cairo.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the church, with Larry Potts officiating. Interment will be in Green Lawn Memorial Gardens, with military graveside honors by area veterans and Illinois National Guard.

Crain Funeral Home in Tamms, Ill., is in charge of arrangements.

Memorials may be made to Mighty Rivers Church Youth Program or Cairo VFW Post 2649 Building Fund. Envelopes will be available at the church and at Crain Funeral Homes.

For online condolences visit www.crainsonline.com.