Walter Beckel

Walter W. Beckel Jr., 84 of Altoona, PA, died Monday morning, August 16th, 2021 at UPMC- Altoona, after a brief illness.

He was born in Altoona, PA on May 12, 1937, son of Walter W. and Charlotte (Spalding) Beckel Sr.  He married his loving wife E. Patricia Glunt on September 10, 1955 in Winchester, VA and later at St. Mark’s Catholic Church, Altoona.  They enjoyed 65 wonderful years together.

Walt retired in 1999 from Conrail as a storehouse shipper after 44 years of dedicated service.  A strong work ethic and a love for what you do is something he always role modeled for his family.  He was a member of the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Altoona and rarely missed a Sunday Mass.

His biggest pleasure was attending his grandchildren’s many activities and sporting events… he was their biggest fan!   He also enjoyed early morning breakfasts at local restaurants with friends and family, finding the freshest produce from the Amish, enjoying spicy foods, tinkering with cars, attending Pitt football and spring training games, fishing, camping, boating and teaching his kids how to waterski and drive a boat before they could drive a car.   He was jovial, loved life and always had a smile on his face.  He was also a member of the Heidelberg Country Club.

Walt is survived by his wife and 3 sons Walter W. (Carole) Beckel III, and Michael (Laurie) Beckel both from Altoona, and Joseph (Johnni) Beckel of Granville, OH.; Special friend David Consalvo; 4 siblings Judy Peirstrup; Donna Lechner; Carol Carter; and Richard Beckel.  Walt is also survived by 8 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by brother Robert Beckel.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 AM Monday, August 23, 2021 at Cathedral of Blessed Sacrament, Altoona, with Msgr. Stanley B. Carson, Celebrant.   Committal Rites will be held at Cathedral at the end of Mass.

Friends will be received from 6-8 PM Sunday August 22, 2021 at Jones Funeral Home where a Vigil For The Deceased will be held during the visitation.  The family requests everyone wear a mask for the visitation and funeral.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh PA at WWW.giveto.Pitt.EDU.