Lawrence Frank Becker, 87 of Bartelso, IL, died April 29, 2008 in a train accident in Bartelso.

He was born August 11, 1920 in Bartelso, the son of Frank G .and Helen M. (Meyer) Becker.  He married Gertrude Albers at St. Boniface Germantown, IL on October 15, 1946 and she survives. He was a loving compassionate caretaker for his wife for the past two years.  

Lawrence was preceded in death by his parents, brother Robert Becker and sons Ralph Frank Becker and Melvin Paul Becker.

In addition to  his wife, Gertrude, Lawrence is survived by his daughter Donna Jean (Becker) Cardwell of Decatur, IL and two sons Kevin G. Becker of Bartelso and Carl R. Becker of Quincy, IL ;son-in-law John (Donna) Cardwell and daughter-in-law Taylor (Carl) Becker; seven grandchildren – Jessica (Kevin), Frankie (Ralph), Cody (Donna), Casie (Donna), Kris (Kevin), Audrey (Carl) and Garrett (Carl); great grandchild, India Jade (Kevin); Brothers Paul and Frank, Sisters Rose Wilken, Agnes Kampwerth, Loretta Mueller, ; Sister-in-laws Sally Becker, Theresa Marie Becker, Blanche Becker; Brother-in-laws Hank Wilken, Joe Kampwerth, Bill Mueller. In-laws Adele Albers,  Hank & Elsie Haake, Dolores Lampe,  Maurice & Rita Albers, Vincent & Ethel Albers, Virgil & Marie Gebke; many nieces & nephews; many great nieces & nephews.

Lawrence was a Navy Veteran of WW II, member of Veterans of Foreign Wars, member of Catholic War Veterans, retired farmer, and retired FS Sales Representative.  Lawrence was an active member of the St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Bartelso, Bartelso American Legion, Knights of Columbus in Bartelso, OKAW (Original Kaskaskia Area Wilderness) Inc., elected several terms as a Central High School board member and Clinton County Farm Bureau member.   He had a true passion for land conservation, taking pride in his timber land in Bartelso, pinochle club player @ the Knights of Columbus hall in Bartelso on Thursday evenings, extensive travel including a special visit to his relatives in Germany, attending dances with his wife, loyal St. Louis Cardinal fan, and loved spending quality time with his family.

Friends & family may pay their last respects 9 to 10:45 a.m. Saturday May 3, 2008 at St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Bartelso. Funeral mass at 11:00 a.m. with Father Henry Fischer officiating. Burial at St Cecilia’s Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to OKAW (Original Kaskaskia Area Wilderness), Inc. at 6067 Heron Rd., Okawville, Il.  62271.