Paul B. Becker 94 of Bartelso died Monday February 27, 2017 at Carlyle Health Care Center with his daughter at his side.
Paul was born on March 23, 1922 on the family farm north of Bartelso to the late Frank and Helen (Meyer) Becker.
Paul and Marcella “Sally” Beckmann were married on June 24, 1947 at St. Boniface Catholic church in Germantown. Sally preceded him in death on November 16, 2009.
Paul is survived by his daughter, Charlene Huegen of Bartelso, grandsons Jonathan Huegen of Damiansville and Chad (Kara) Huegen of Bartelso and 5 great grandsons, Tanner, Cole, Trevor, Brady and Zackary Huegen. He is also survived by his sister, Rose Wilken, sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, Gertrude Becker and Bernice and Larry Gebke along with many nieces and nephews.
Along with his parents and wife, Paul was also preceded in death by a son, Steven Becker, his mother and father-in-law Alphonse and Christine Beckmann. brothers Lawrence, Robert “Bobby”, and Frank Becker; sisters Agnes Kampwerth and Loretta “Shorty” Mueller; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law Theresa Marie Becker, Blanche Becker, Joseph “Joe” Kampwerth, Henry “Hank” Wilken, Marcel “Bill” Mueller; nephews Ralph Becker, Melvin Becker, Leonard “Lenny” Becker, Robert “Bobby” Becker, Michael “Mike” Gebke.
Paul served in the United States Army from 1944-1945 and received the Victory Medal, Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon, 1 Bronze Battle Star, Philippine Liberation Ribbon, 1 Bronze Battle Star, 1 Overseas Service Bar, Good Conduct Medal. Paul was a retired dairy and grain farmer.
He was a member of St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Bartelso, a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars, member of Catholic War Veterans, Bartelso American Legion Post 976 (Past Commander), Knights of Columbus Council 4745 in Bartelso (Past Grand Knight). He also served several terms as a Bartelso School board member, on the board of Germantown Mutual Insurance Company, a member of the Clinton County Farm Bureau member, Bartelso Community Development plus numerous other community organizations. After retiring and moving to town, Paul and Sally delivered meals on wheels and Pioneer Seed Corn for good friends Jerome and Toots Varel.
Paul enjoyed bowling, traveling, playing pinochle and euchre, dancing, watching Cardinal baseball, hunting and after moving to town, sitting on his porch enjoying the outdoors and friends and family who drove by and waved or stopped in to say hello. Mainly he enjoyed spending time with his family.
Funeral Mass of Christian burial will be Friday, March 3, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Cecilia Catholic Church, Bartelso. Fr. Jim Buerster presiding. Interment St. Cecilia Cemetery.
Visitation will be Thursday, March 2 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. and Friday March 3, from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. at Moss Funeral home, Germantown.
Remembrances can be made to St. Cecilia Church, Mater Dei High School, Catholic Charities or Hospice of Southern Illinois, and will be received at the funeral home.
