Funeral services for Verna Mae (Schilt) Beckmann, 87, of Sheboygan, Wisconsin, widow of a retired Lakeland College professor and clergyman, will be held at the Zion United Church of Christ. Burial in St. Paul United Church of Christ Cemetery at Wheatland, Iowa.

Mrs. Beckmann was stricken with an apparent heart attack at her home Tuesday and died shortly after being admitted to Sheboygan Memorial Hospital on September 19, 1978.

The former Verna Schilt was born May 18, 1891 in Olney, Illinois, a daughter of Frederick W. and Anna C. (Joerris) Schilt. She graduated from Olney High School in 1909 and attended Teacher’s College in Normal, Ill.

On July 19, 1916 she married the Rev. Dr. William C. Beckmann who served as professor of classical languages at Lakeland College from 1921 until his retirement in 1964. He served as pastor of the Saron United Church of Christ a number of years ago.

The couple resided in Ft. Wayne, Ind before coming to Lakeland College and had made their home in Sheboygan after his retirement from the faculty. He died in February 1972.

Mrs. Beckmann was a member of Zion United Church of Christ and its Ladies Aid Society. She was a former member of Ebenezer United Church of Christ, where her husband served as interim pastor, and a former member. She was the past president of the northwest Woman’s Group of the Reformed Church.

Survivors are one son, Rev. W. Joerris Beckmann of Middletown, Md; two daughters, Miss Elizabeth and Miss Catherine both of Sheboygan; four granddaughters; two brothers, Frank Schilt of Norfolk, Va, a retired General with the Air Force Marines and Foster Schilt of Delray Beach, Fla. and a sister, Miss Esther Schilt of Lighthouse Point, Fla.

The Sheboygan Press (WI) – Wednesday, September 20, 1978