Charles "Wayne" Beigel

Charles “Wayne” Beigel, 96, of Steubenville, Ohio, died December 17, 2019 in Valley Hospice at Trinity West.

Wayne was born in the small town of Blencoe, Iowa on December 20, 1922. He was the oldest son of the late John and Lillian Beigel. During his childhood he lived through the Great Depression, at one time moving because the monthly rent had been raised from $8 to $10. By the time he was 16, Wayne’s younger brother John and his father had died.

Wayne graduated from Onawa High School in 1941 and joined the Army Air Corp shortly afterwards. Before leaving for England during World War II, Wayne married Kathleen Fouts of Onawa, Iowa on December 22, 1943. He was the co-pilot in a B-24 crew, only one of two survivors when his plane was shot down over Germany. He spent the next 14 months as a prisoner of war before being liberated by General Patton’s army in the spring of 1945 and returning home to Onawa.

Wayne and Kathleen had nine children and lived in five places: Onawa, Iowa; Phoenix, Arizona; Anaheim and Pleasanton, California; and Steubenville, Ohio. He retired in 1981 as the Area Supervisor, San Francisco Division, with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms.

The most important parts of Wayne’s life were his faith and his family. He was a member of Triumph of the Cross Catholic Church. He generously gave his time and talent throughout his life in his local parish. One particular hobby that gave Wayne great joy was playing the trumpet, with jazz CDs accompanying him in the background.

In addition to his parents, Wayne was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 54 years, Kathleen; his brother John; his sisters Betty Griffith and Peg Dickerson; his son John; his daughter Mary Boucher; and his great-grandson Michael Mahl. He is survived by his brother Dan of San Antonio, Texas; four sons, Steve (Mary) of Norfolk, Virginia; Tom (Claudia) of Rancho Cordova, California; Rev. Gerard of Littleton, Colorado; Jim of Massillon, Ohio; and three daughters, Connie (Darrell) Huston of Star, Idaho; Sue (Dave) Carlson and Cathy (Jeff) Harris, both of Steubenville; 29 grandchildren; and 42 great-grandchildren.

Calling hours are from 2:00-4:00 and 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Fri., Dec. 27, 2019, at the Mosti Funeral Home, 4435 Sunset Blvd, with the vigil service at 3:30 p.m. Funeral Liturgy with Mass will be celebrated at Triumph of the Cross Catholic Church at 11:30 a.m. on Sat., Dec. 28, 2019, with the Rev. Thomas Nau officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Steubenville. Memorial contributions may be made to Triumph of the Cross Church, Building Fund, PO Box 908, Steubenville, OH 43952.