Becker, Joseph

Joseph F. Becker, 87, of Breese, IL, died Tuesday, September 27, 2005 at his home. He was born on August 8, 1918 in Breese, son of Frederick and Ernestine (Habich) Becker. He married Juliana Woltering on June 18, 1946 at St. Augustine Church in Breese and she survives. Also surviving are his children, Margaret Foppe and husband Roger, John Becker and special friend Nancy Nettemeier, Charles Becker, James Becker and wife Marcia, Barbara Von Alst and husband John, Julia Becker and husband Phil all of Breese and Alicia Smith and husband Kermit of Houston , TX; 21 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Brenda Becker of Aiken, S.C. , Norbert & Grace Woltering of Florissant, MO, Veronica & Paul Timmermann of Breese, Joan & David Neff of Germantown, Daniel Woltering of Centralia, and a special friend, Edna Woltering of Carlyle. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by four brothers, Melvin Becker, Victor Becker, John Becker and Edward Becker; and sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Helen Becker and Miriam Becker, Alfred & Rose Woltering, Laura & Francis Schuette, Charles Woltering, and Sister Mary Myles, SSND. He established Joseph F. Becker Masonry in Breese in 1948. He was a lifelong member of St. Dominic Parish and Men’s Sodality, a member of Breese Knights of Columbus Council 2869; honorary member of Breese Lions Club and a Melvin Jones Award recipient, a life member of Southern Illinois Building Association and a member and past commander of Breese American Legion Post 252. He was a veteran of the United States Navy, serving during WWII. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, September 30, 2005 at 10 a.m. at St. Dominic Church in Breese, with Rev. Patrick Peter officiating. Interment will follow in St. Dominic/St. Augustine Cemetery in Breese. Friends may call on Thursday, September 29, 2005 from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m. and Friday, September 30, from 8 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. at Hempen Funeral Home in Breese. The Lions will visit at 7 p.m., followed by the Knights of Columbus rosary and the American Legion will visit at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to St. Dominic Parish, All Saints Academy, Mater Dei High School or VNA TIP Hospice and will be received at the funeral home.