John William Beck

May 11, 1917-July 28, 2005

John William Beck, formerly of McCook and Culbertson, died Thursday, July 28, 2005 at the Alterra Sterling House Assisted Living Center in Hays, Kan. He was 88 years old.

He was born May 11, 1917, in Canton, S.D., to Elmer August and Alma Pearl (Hildbridle) Beck. He graduated from Ree Heights, S.D.

On Oct. 22, 1945, he married Alma Barger in Oberlin, Kan. He later married Gladys Payne in May of 1986 in Texas. Gladys died that same fall.

John farmed around the McCook and Culbertson area until he moved to California in 1972 where he worked in the Wamo Toy Factory. He retired at age 62 and moved to Texas in 1985 to be around family. He had just recently moved to Hays.

He was a member of the First Baptist Church and loved to bake cookies and take them to his neighbors, he also enjoyed gardening and animals.

Preceding him in death were his parents; his two wives, Gladys in the fall of 1986, and Alma in May of 1992; and a sister, Bonnie Smalley.

Survivors include: his daughter Linda Bahl of Hays, Kan.; a brother, Alfred Beck and wife Helen of Palmdale, Calif.; two sisters, Evelyn Fredrickson of San Francisco, Calif., and Melda Meehan of Modesto, Calif.; a sister-in-law, Sylvia Coppin of Culbertson; three grandchildren, Bill Bahl of McCook, Julie Sanders of Hays, and Holly Mattox and husband Andy of Kansas City, Kan.; three great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2005, at 10:30 a.m. at McCook Christian Church with Pastor Clark Bates officiating. Burial will be in the Riverview Cemetery.

Memorials may be given in his name.

Visitation will be today until 8 p.m. at the funeral home (please use the south door on C Street). Friends and family may also send condolences online at www.carpenterbreland.com

Carpenter Breland Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.