James "Jimmy" Anthony Beste

Birth: Oct. 14, 1926 Death: Oct. 17, 1997

James Anthony Beste,71,Union,died Friday,October 17,1997. Mr. Beste was born October 14,1926,in Krakow,the son of the late John Beste and wife Cecelia,nee Westhoelter.He received his schooling in Krakow. Mr. Beste served his country in the United States Army from February,1945,to September,1946. On October 22,1946,he was united in marriage to Mary Agnes Overschmidt at St. Clare Catholic Church.Three children were born the this marriage.They made their home in St. Clair and later moved to Union. Mr. Beste had worked for Accurate Construction,St. Louis.He was a member of Immaculate Conception Church,Union,and the Knights of Columbus. He was preceded in death by one sister,Irene Lause,and three brothers,Benny,Joe and Rudolph Beste. Mr. Beste is survived by his wife,Mary Agnes Beste,Union; two sons,John Beste and wife Debra,Staunton,Illinois,and Jeff Beste and wife Laurie,Eureka;one daughter,Rita Messinger,Warrenton;one sister,Delores Frankenberg, Washington;five brothers,Aloys,Harry,Adolph,Robert and Tom Beste,all of Washington;six grandchildren,Michael and Carolyn and Amy Beste;nieces;nephews;other relatives and many friends. Funeral services were held Monday,October 20,from the Oltmann Funeral Home,Union,with a funeral Mass from the Immaculate Conception Church by Rev. Peter Blake.Interment followed in the Immaculate Conception Cemetery,Union. The Beste family was served by Oltmann Funeral Home,Union. From the Washington Missourian, Wednesday, October 22, 1997

Military Service Record for James A. Beste Indudtion: 17 February 1945 at Jefferson Barracks, St. Louis, Missouri, United States Separation: 6 November 1946 at Fort Sheridan, Illinois, United States Rank:PFC US Army WWII HQ Company AF as Carpenter General Decorations and Citations: World War II Victory Medal, Asiatic Pasific Theater Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, and Two Overseas Bars Overseas: 29 August 1945 to 21 September 1946 Civilian Occupation: Farmer Honorable Discharge due to Convenience of Government