Ernest J. Becherer

Ernest Jacob Philip Becherer, 99, of Troy, Illinois, passed away peacefully on July 7, 2025, at Addington Place in Shiloh, Illinois. With full hearts, we remember his warm smile and celebrate his life of kindness, selflessness, and always seeing the best in others.

Born September 28, 1925, in Caseyville Township, Illinois, Ernie was the youngest of nine children. The family lost their father when Ernie was just three, and the Great Depression brought great difficulties for their large family. But his memories of these early years would focus on the strength of his mother and the commitment of his brothers and sisters to help the family by finding any work they could. It’s no wonder Ernie’s entire life was characterized by the importance of family and a strong work ethic.

He attended Belleville Township High School, where he met Agnes Biggs and began going to dances with her every Saturday night. This was against the backdrop of World War II, as his older brothers were departing to join the war effort. Knowing Ernie’s turn was also coming, he and Agnes unofficially committed to a future life together.

Ernie went to the South Pacific aboard the U.S. Navy light cruiser USS Montpelier, and he was in the Philippines when he received a surprising letter telling him he was officially engaged! His sister Mildred had taken matters into her own hands and bought an engagement ring, giving it to Agnes for her high school graduation on behalf of the unknowing (but still committed!) young sailor on the other side of the world.

Ernie served for two years and collected tales he would tell for the rest of his life – one of his favorites was of going to Japan after hostilities ended in 1945. The crew of the “Mighty Monty” had been assigned to help evacuate Allied prisoners from Japan, and while there, Ernie was one of the first Americans to visit Hiroshima after the atomic bomb devastation. At this point of the story, he would lean in with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes to say that they had been given strict orders against any souvenir-taking. But as it so happened, he and two buddies found Japanese swords that couldn’t be resisted – but could be hidden under their clothing.

After he (and his contraband piece) returned home safely from the war, Ernie found a job at the local coal mine and started his life with Agnes, having built out a living space for them in a dance hall building owned by his family. He soon bought a nearby parcel of land, and as he would say, “I built a home for my own family with my own two hands.”

His family was growing at the same time, as he and Agnes welcomed into their family a daughter, Bonnie, and then a set of twins, Sharen and Karen.

After their daughters were grown, Ernie again showed his moxie by purchasing a farm in rural St. Clair County and then learning how to run it, an endeavor that lasted the rest of his life and brought him joy. By trade, Ernie started as an electrician at the Shell Oil Refinery in Wood River, Illinois, working there for 33 years before retiring as a Control Systems Supervisor.

Ernie and Agnes enjoyed traveling. They wanted to see as much as they could and then share those places with family, whether packing up the conversion van for a road-trip vacation or taking the entire family on a cruise to celebrate a milestone anniversary. If you asked Ernie about his favorite trips, he would likely mention Europe or Hawaii. He would certainly mention the reunions of his USS Montpelier shipmates, and he would beam with pride at his opportunity to join a Greater St. Louis Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., with fellow WWII veterans in 2015.

Ernie loved having family over, especially if he could talk the grandkids into holding a talent show at the holidays, or if he could entice everyone with a tractor-pulled hayride down country roads. It would make him equally happy to simply sit and share a slice of pie and talk about life.

Ernie is survived by his three daughters, Bonnie Prine (Thomas, deceased), Sharen Breyer (Michael), and Karen Burns (Leigh, Jr., deceased), all of Troy, Illinois; brother Melvin “Mac” Becherer, 102, of Columbia, Illinois; seven grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife of nearly 72 years, Agnes; his parents Jacob and Augusta (Meyer) Becherer; siblings Clifford, Harold “Bud,” Lavera “Sis,” Clarence “Pete,” Jonelia “Nook,” Jacob “Jake,” and Mildred “Mim” (oh, the nicknames!). He was also preceded in death by two sons-in-law, Tom Prine and Leigh Burns; and granddaughter Melissa (Burns) Huff.

A visitation for Ernest will be held Saturday, July 26, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Lake View Funeral Home, 5000 North Illinois Street, Fairview Heights, IL 62208. Followed by a funeral service at 12:00 PM. Immediately following the service, Ernest will be laid to rest at Lake View Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens, where he will receive full military honors.

Contributions in Ernest's memory may be made to Disabled American Veterans, https://www.DAV.org.