Jeffrey R. “Beck” Beckemeyer, 62, of De Soto died March 19, 2026, at Mercy Hospital South in St. Louis County. Mr. Beckemeyer was a 1981 Crystal City High School graduate and was a retired electrician with more than 36 years at Ameren, primarily at the Rush Island Power Plant in Festus. He was a member of Local 148 Operating Engineers Union and a Credit Union representative. Known for his great sense of humor, he was often telling jokes and always had the joke of the day at work. Dedicated to his family, he took pride in helping to raise his two sons and seeing them through college. He was skilled in woodworking and mechanics and had a knack for solving problems. He enjoyed working on tractors, go-karts and all kinds of vehicles; in his younger years, he even flew planes. He was also an avid outdoorsman who loved to trout fish, hunt, camp, scuba dive, play golf and garden vegetables, especially tomatoes. Born Aug. 10, 1963, in Farmington, he was the son of the late Cletus R. and Esther R. (Davis) Beckemeyer.
He is survived by two sons: Zachary J. (fiancee Melissa Bruns) Beckemeyer and Nathaniel S. Beckemeyer of St. Louis; a sister: Darlene (Michael) Wehner of Festus; two nephews: Jared (Amanda) Wehner and Jacob (Maria) Wehner, both of Festus; a niece: Caitlyn (Ascencion) Estrada of Festus; and two great-nieces and two great-nephews.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Arrangements are under the direction of Vinyard Funeral Home in Festus.