Arbie Wayne Beckemeyer

Arbie “Wayne” Beckemeyer of Cuba, MO was born on Tuesday, October 10, 1944, in St. Louis, MO to Harvey August Beckemeyer and Viola Mary Beckemeyer, nee Waterman.  He passed away at his home on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at the age of 80 years, 11 months, and 21 days.

Wayne graduated from Crystal City High School in Crystal City, MO with the Class of 1961.  Wayne married the love of his life, Joann Carolyn DePew on March 10, 1962, in Festus, MO, and to this union three children were born.  On May 28, 1962, Wayne enlisted in the United States Air Force where he served his country honorably for 21 years, before retiring in 1982.  During his time in Germany, he found joy in volksmarching, where he collected medals.  Upon retirement, he worked in sales for Fidelity Communications in Sullivan, MO.  Wayne accepted the Lord as his personal Savior early in life and was a member of Deer Creek Church in Cuba, MO and Cowboy Church in St. James, MO. He was an avid outdoorsman that enjoyed hunting and was most passionate about fishing.  He enjoyed playing pool, listening to country music and never met a stranger.  Most of all, Wayne loved his family and time spent with them. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin and friend.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Harvey and Viola Beckemeyer; parents-in-law, Floyd and Alma DePew; brothers, Robert Beckemeyer and Gary Beckemeyer; sisters-in-law, Ann (husband Art) Harris, Ruth (husband Fred) Watts, Barbara (husband Edward) Fink and Cora DePew; brothers-in-law, Frank Godat, Ken Godat, Floyd DePew, Jr., Chester (wife Juanita) DePew, Howard (wife Alice) DePew, Raymond (wife Sandy) DePew, Douglas DePew, Robert DePew, infant Harold DePew and infant Charles DePew; nephews, Steve DePew and Arthur DePew.

Wayne is survived by his loving wife of 63 years Joann Beckemeyer of Cuba, MO; children, Rick (wife Wendy) Beckemeyer of N. Liberty, IA, Barbara (husband Jim) Dwyer of Decatur, MI, and Mike Beckemeyer of Cuba, MO; sisters, Joyce Godat of Cuba, MO, Donna (husband Lonnie) Cannon of Pacific, MO and Karen Godat of Flippen, AR; sisters-in-law, Alma DePew of Bonne Terre, MO, Helen DePew of Manchester, MO, Linda (husband Butch) Duerkop of Stockton, MO and Brenda DePew of Festus, MO; brother-in-law, Frank DePew of Festus, MO; 4 grandchildren: Blake (wife Shannon) Beckemeyer, Jimmy (wife Nikki) Dwyer, Tiffany Edson and Katy Soto; 15 great grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Visitation was from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, at Hutson Funeral Home, Cuba, MO.  Funeral Service was at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, at Hutson Funeral Home, Cuba, MO with Pastor Tommy Miller officiating.  The service was livestreamed on Hutson Funeral Home in Cuba, MO's Facebook page.  Burial was at the Missouri Veteran’s Cemetery, Fort Leonard Wood, MO with full military honors. 

Arrangements under the direction of Hutson Funeral Home, Cuba, MO.

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