Joe Beckett

Joe Edward Beckett, 75, of Sanford, Fla., died Friday, Jan. 11, 2008.

The funeral will be today at Sunset's Houghton-Leasure Funeral Home, 200 E. West Street, Georgetown, Ill. Burial will be in Crown Hill Cemetery at Ridge Farm, Ill.

He was born Aug. 2, 1932, to Eli Austin "Tot" Beckett and Myrtle Serena Flynn Beckett. He grew up at 513 Bellevue in Cape Girardeau. He was married to Shirley Rose Ankrum May 22, 1955, in Ridge Farm.

Survivors include his wife, Shirley; two daughters, Christine Laverne Nash and husband Paul of Deltona, Fla., Susan Marie Young and husband Steve of Gainesville, Fla.; a grandson, Jason Lively and wife Cathy of Deland, Fla.; two great-grandchildren, Reese and Alexa Rose Lively; two stepgranddaughters, Beth Montgomery and Heather Young; two brothers, Eugene Beckett and wife Patsy of Cambria, Ill., Richard Hanes and wife Sherrie of Herrin, Ill.; as well as numerous other family members and friends.

Joe was in the military 20 years. He served in Germany, Vietnam and Korea. He was awarded the Purple Heart. After retiring from the military he moved to Sanford.