Earl Edward Bechtold

1942 - 2020

Earl Edward Bechtold, 77, was born Nov. 5, 1942, in Pittston. He was the only child of Sophie and Oscar Bechtold. Throughout his life, Earl was guided by four beliefs: family, Catholic faith, love for his country and his many friends.

As a young boy, Earl's passion was baseball. He spent his days at the little league park with his teammates and friends. All this hard work and dedication was rewarded when his team went on to play in the Little League World Series in Williamsport in 1955. He graduated from Pittston High School in 1960, as president of his class and co-captain of the football and baseball teams. Earl went on to attend the University of Scranton in 1964, where he was a member of ROTC program, beginning his long career in the army.

In the same year of 1960, Father Hannigan introduced Earl to Peggy Bilbow, changing their lives forever. The two married on July 30, 1966, after which he was commissioned in the U.S. Army and assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division All American at Fort Bragg, N.C.

It was here their first of four children was born, Chip. In early 1968, Peggy moved back to Pittston while Earl served in Vietnam. In July of 1968, their second child, Mara, was born. Another son, Mark, was born in Pittsburg in October 1969. Daughter Megan was born in 1973, at Fort Knox, Ky.

Earl and Peggy raised their children, embracing love and proving the importance of faith and family. After 23 years of service, Earl retired at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., as a decorated Lieutenant Colonel. After retirement, he worked for Northrop Grumman for 23 years. Earl always said he would work until he died and he did.

It has been said that if you receive the great joys of life you are to receive great sorrow. The Bechtold family experienced the loss of their beloved Chip, and years later, their dear Mara. They drew on their faith to strengthen one another through these difficult times.

While his family will miss him dearly, they will continue to celebrate Earl's life with the joy and happiness he would want. He loved family vacations to Tybee Island, Ga., singing in the Sacred Heart choir, attending daily Mass, Sunday night dinners with family and he was a true storyteller, always making an impression on everyone he met. Earl was a good husband, father, son and friend.

"Earl you are very good at everything you do, especially at being a friend." — quote from a letter sent by childhood friend, Sam Polit.

Earl passed away peacefully in Austin, Texas, on July 22, 2020, with family by his side. He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Peggy, son, Mark Bechtold, in Libertyville, Ill., (Brooke), daughter Megan Skinner, in Lexington, Ky., (Craig), son-in-law, Steve Brown of Austin, Texas; his 12 grandchildren, Kassie, KaCee, Matt, Aidan, Stella, Riley, Mary Cate, Eleanor, Sam, Sophie, Izzy, and Eli.

A visitation will begin at 2 p.m. Wednesday, with family present from 5 to 8 p.m. July 29, 2020, with Rosary prayed at 7:30 p.m., at R.L. Leintz Funeral Home, Leavenworth, Kan. Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11 a.m. Thursday, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Burial will follow as Sacred Heart Kickapoo Cemetery.

Due to COVID restrictions, please wear a mask and practice social distancing.

Donations in Earl's memory are welcomed in the name of Leavenworth Catholic Schools.