Lena- Eugene W. "Beck" Becker, age 94, passed away on Thursday July 16, 2015 at the Lena Living Center. He was the son of Clarence and Margaret (Reel) Becker and was born on January 27, 1921 in Freeport, IL. When he was ten, the family moved to Lena. Beck attended Lena schools and graduated from Lena High School in 1939. Beck worked for two years at Burgess Battery, then attended barber school, and worked in Freeport until the war. In December 1944 he enlisted in the army.

He married Estelle Gourdier on January 15, 1943 at Fort Custer, Michigan. He served for four years in the army, two of them overseas, where he participated in the New Guinea Campaign. After the war he returned to Lena where he barbered for over 50 years. After the death of his wife in 1996, he semi-retired.

Beck was a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Sprague Inman American Legion Post #577, Masonic Lodge, A.F. and A. M. Lodge, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Lena Historical Society. Beck served on the Lena Park board and the Little League commission. He was an avid traveler and historian.

Beck is survived by his daughter Connie DeWilde, California; sister, JoAnn (Richard) Mayes, Oklahoma City, OK; and several sister-in-laws, cousins, nephews and nieces.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 AM on Monday July 20, 2015 at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.

Visitation will be from 9:30 untill 11:00 AM at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church on Monday.

Officiating will be Pastor Miranda Klosterboer.

Interment will be at Lena Burial Park.

A memorial has been established for the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and the Lena Historical Society.