Frank J Beelman, Jr.

Frank J. Beelman, Jr, a lifelong resident of St. Libory, IL, born Nov. 20, 1920 in St. Libory, IL passed from this life on August 4, 2021.  He was 100 years old.

Frank was CEO of Beelman Truck Company, and until Covid, went to work every day. He guided the company with exceptional integrity and ethics and under his leadership, he built multiple businesses serving thousands of customers in approximately 30 states. Frank was a role model for many throughout his life and an incredible family man. He was a legend in the trucking industry and loved riding Harleys for 86 years. In his earlier years, he loved camping and boating. Frank was a great storyteller with an amazing memory. Until his final days, he spent many hours riding his Harley. Frank was an Army veteran of WW II where he fought at Omaha Beach on D-Day and in the Battle of the Bulge. Frank was one of the last living survivors of two of the bloodiest battles in WW II. He was a 75-year member of the St. Libory American Legion, past commander and he was instrumental in building the St. Libory American Legion Hall. He was a former member of Ainad Temple, East St. Louis and a member of various construction and trucking associations.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Elizabeth, nee Sommer, Beelman, Sr., wife, Kay Beelman, nee Bozsa, whom he married on July 1, 1943 and who died Dec. 4, 2010, a son, Daniel Beelman, two grandchildren, Michael Friederich and Drew Lintker and four sisters, Helen, Veronica, Beatrice and Marcella.

Frank is survived by three children, Nancy Friederich, Susan (Ray) Sommer, Frank J.  “Sam” (Shelly) Beelman III; nine grandchildren, Bill (Mindie) Friederich, Tim and Andy Friederich, Joel (Kelly) Sommer, Ryan Sommer, Megan (Ryan) Eberhardt, Dane (Megan) Lintker, Liz Beelman and Frank Beelman IV; nine great-grandchildren; his older sister, Celeste Cocheba; and nieces and nephews.

In lieu of all other gifts, please make donations to Shriners Hospital for Children, 4400 Clayton Ave., St. Louis, MO 63110 or St. Liborius Cemetery Fund, P.O. Box 331, St. Libory, IL 62282 or to Hospice of Southern Illinois, 305 S. Illinois, Belleville, IL 62221.

Visitation: From 2 to 7 PM Sunday, Aug. 8, 2021 at St. Liborius Church in St. Libory, IL and Monday, Aug. 9, 2021 from 9 AM until the time of funeral Mass.

Funeral: A funeral Mass will be held 10 AM Monday, Aug. 9, 2021 at St. Liborius Church with Father Paul Wienhoff and Father Dennis Voss concelebrating. Burial with military honors will follow in St. Liborius Cemetery.