Alva Mae Pletscher Beckemeyer, 99, of Alton, IL died November 20, 2025 at Evercare of Edwardsville. Alva was born May 30, 1926 in Summerfield, IL. She was the daughter of Adolph B. Pletscher and Anna H. Villhard Pletscher.

She grew up in Trenton, IL. Alva married Warren Beckemeyer on July 20, 1949.

Growing up she enjoyed small town and farm life with her 5 sisters. In High School she played the Tuba in the marching band. She graduated from Trenton High School in 1943. Alva always enjoyed the outdoors and spent many years volunteering at Lincoln Memorial Gardens in Springfield, IL. She led school children on nature walks and worked in the gift shop.

Her hobbies included camping with family and the Methodist camping group, gardening, and bird watching and feeding kept her busy all of her life. Second only to the love of her family was her love for “her” St. Louis Cardinals. She was a member of the Rochester Methodist Church and then the Alton First United Methodist Church. Alva was very involved in church activities.

Most importantly, she was a good friend to many people and a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and Gigi. She will be missed.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Warren; daughter, Janet, and her 5 sisters, Norma, Wilma, Verna, Edna, and Eva. She is survived by her daughter, Susan King of Ellis, ID; son, Steve Beckemeyer of Lino Lakes, MN; daughter, Carol Beckemeyer of Godfrey, IL; grandchildren, Joshua (BreAnne), Jedediah (Kim) Melanie, Jeremy, Anna, Jacob, Erin, Sarah (Marc), Elizabeth (Joshua), Kayla (Edison) and Nora (David); great grandchildren, Alexis, Naomi, Leia, Elsie, Harrison, and Oliver; as well as several nieces and nephews and extended family members.

Funeral services will be held at Rochester Cemetery Chapel, 811 West Main Street, Rochester, Il 62563 on Tuesday December 2, 2025. The funeral will take place inside the chapel at the center of the cemetery at 11:00am. Burial will follow.

Memorial donations may be made to Lincoln Memorial Gardens 2301 E Lake Shore Dr, Springfield, IL 62712, website (https://www.lincolnmemorialgarden.org/donate)

Memorial donations may also be made to the Beverly Farm Foundation, 6301 Humbert Rd, Godfrey, IL 62035, website ( https://secure.qgiv.com/for/bevfar)