Loretta J. Beck

Loretta J. Beck, age 90, of Fairview Heights, IL, born on March 15, 1935, in East St. Louis, IL, died on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, at Knollwood Memory Care Center, Caseyville, IL.

Loretta was married to the love of her life, Jack, for 73 wonderful years.  Together they built a beautiful life filled with laughter, faith and devotion. She was a proud mother, grandmother, great grandmother and great-great grandmother. She cherished every moment spent with her growing family and leaves behind a legacy of love, strength, and kindness that will continue through them all.

A woman of many passions, Loretta found joy in the simple things – casting a line on a quiet lake, cheering on her beloved St. Louis Cardinals, and expressing her creativity through painting on canvas and wood.  She adored spending time lost in a good puzzle and there was never a time when the kitchen table was not decorated with her current creation.  Her warmth, humor and gentle spirit touched the lives of everyone who knew her.  Though she will be deeply missed, her love and light will remain in the hearts of all who were blessed to know her. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Clemens and Anna, nee Niedzwiecki Menckowski; and her sisters, Frances Frey, Theresa Berutti and Mary Ann Caniff; and a brother who died in infancy. Clemens Menckowski, Jr.

Loretta is survived by her husband, John A. “Jack” Beck; her children, Robert (Gina) Beck of New Athens, IL, Jeanne (Marvin) Rushing of Collinsville, IL, and Sue (Joe) Schmittling of Freeburg, IL; her grandchildren, Lori (John) Luecking , Beth (Brian) VanVeghel, Joe (Mindy) Rick, Scott (Tiffany) Rushing, Cindy (Kevin) Stuckey, Katie (Danny) Friederich, and Jake Schmittling; 16 great grandchildren; and 3 great-great grandchildren.

Memorials can be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois.

Memorial Visitation will be held on Saturday, October 25, 2025, from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Fairview Heights, IL.

A Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Trinity Church, Fairview Heights, IL. Burial of cremated remains will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, Fairview Heights, IL. 

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