EuGene Raymond Becker, of Ithaca, Michigan died Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at home after a 10 year fight against pulmonary fibrosis – a terminal lung disease.
Born in St. Johns, Michigan, August 20, 1936, to Philip and Anna Becker, graduated from Ithaca High School in 1954, from Albion College in 1958 with a Bachelors of Science and achieved a Masters of Physical Science from Central Michigan University along with a Teaching Certificate for both H.S. and Elementary grade. Gene loved teaching and traveling and fulfilled both dreams by teaching in Michigan for six years at Ovid and Ithaca High Schools and another six years in Browning, Montana as well as neighboring schools on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. (Gene was so loved by the Blackfeet that he was given a tribal name – “Curly Bear” pronounced “kee – eye – ah – soot – ski”) He finished his teaching career as a teaching principal for five years at Elsie Jr. High in Michigan. Gene retired at 44 and began a new career as a Professional Tax Preparer and Consultant, Handy Man and Part-time Missionary – but he was most known for his involvement in his Lord’s work. He was an active member of the First United Methodist Church of Ithaca where he served and held several positions of leadership at the local, district and conference levels. He helped establish a family Bible camp that has been running for 26 years, was a participant and servant in the Emmaus Walk and Keryx ministries, he was a regular attender and collaborator for the Promise Keepers events – culminating in the “Stand in the Gap event in Washington, D.C., he served in various prison ministries including Carson City and Ionia, he also served and lead several work missions in Charleston, South Carolina. From his first mission trip to Quilali, Nicaragua, Gene’s heart was knitted with the people there. In his last seven years he made over a dozen trips to Quilali spreading God’s love by financially supporting work projects at the hospital, country churches, a community college, education scholarships and benevolence funding for the poor and needy. His ministry there continues through his indigenous assistants in Quilali and through his granddaughter, Staci Bryant and brother in Christ, Paul Caszatt.
Gene’s favorite song, Con Que Pagaremos – translated “With what can we repay,” expressed his sentiment best when surveying his body of work and service to the Lord. He regretted not having more time to give his loving Savior an even greater sacrifice of love and devotion.
With what can we repay, this immense love
That you gave your life, for the sinner
In exchange you only receive, this humble offering
This humble offering, Lord Jesus Christ of my heart
And when the night, extends its shawl
With my weeping eyes, I will focus on you
Raising my eyes, I will see the stars
I know that behind them, such a loving Father, you watch over me
I cannot repay you, with gold or silver
The great sacrifice, you did for me
I have nothing to give you, for loving me so much
Receive this song, mixed with this weeping and my heart
(Gene invites you to know his Savior and to meet him in heaven!)
Gene met his sweetheart, Gwen (Johnson), at Ithaca High School in 1953 and they were married in 1958. (They just celebrated their 52nd wedding anniversary February 1st.) They settled in Ithaca where they raised their three children, Sheryl, Cathy and Mark.
Gene was preceded in death by his parents Philip and Anna and his brother-in-law Bob and sister Bonnie Daniel – who also died of pulmonary fibrosis. He is survived by his wife Gwen Becker, sisters Phyllis (Richard) Schleder of Ithaca, Sue (Roger) Holdeman of South Bend; children, Sheryl (Greg) Hatch and Mark (Gina) Becker both of Grand Rapids, Cathy (Steve) Tetzlaff of Wisconsin; 12 grandchildren, Amber Hatch, Ashley Hatch, Allison Hatch, Josiah (Margaret) Becker, Staci (Jake) Bryant, Bethany Becker, John Mark Becker, Daniel Becker, Noah Becker, Jeremiah Tetzlaff, Sarah Tetzlaff, Hannah Tetzlaff, three great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Barden Funeral Home of Ithaca with visitation Friday, February 26, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday, February 27, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The funeral service will be held on Sunday, February 28 at 2 p.m. at the Ithaca United Methodist Church. Burial will follow at Ithaca Cemetery.
Gene would like to request that in lieu of flowers, donations be given to the Nicaragua Fund c/o Ithaca United Methodist Church or a memorial contribution to the Ithaca United Methodist Church, 327 E. Center Street, Ithaca, MI 48847.
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