John David Beck's Obituary
John David Beck, 88, of Mesa, Arizona, formerly of Decatur, passed away at Tuesday November 15, 2011 in Mesa, Arizona.
John was born June 26 1923 in Rochester, Illinois the son of Jesse Jennings Beck and Gladys Fogle Beck. John proudly served his country in the Army 14th Calvary group and served in an armored tank unit in active campaigns in European theater including the battle of the bulge where he received a battlefield commission to a rating of 2nd lieutenant. He was also awarded the Purple Heart. He was a life member of the VFW, American Legion, and the Disabled American Veterans also a long standing member of Sheet Metal Workers Local 218 owning Beck and Sons Sheet Metal and Hardware and later working at the King-Lar Company. John was also a member of the Moose Lodge, Elks Lodge, Stephen Decatur Masonic Lodge #979, Consistory and Ansar Shrine including past president of the Decatur Shrine Club. He married Pauline Underfanger July 7 1943 in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
He leaves behind Pauline his wife of sixty-eight years; daughters: Ellen Ed Dixon of Sullivan Illinois, and Sue Randy Hayes of Decatur; son, Tom Madelyn Beck of Elwin Illinois; grandchildren: Amy Jon Bailey, Kristi John Kravanek of Decatur, Lori Chris Dadekian of Bloomington, Angie Danny Nelson of Sullivan, and James Kelsey Beck of Moweaqua; eleven great-grandchildren, and three step-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, and three sisters.
Graveside services to celebrate John’s life will be 12 p.m. Friday, November 25, 2011 in Camp Butler National Cemetery Riverton Illinois with military honors. Memorial contributions may be made to the Macon County WWII Memorial Fund Decatur, Illinois.
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