Obituaries
Obituary for George Thomas Beck
Peoria- George Thomas Beck, Peoria, age 95, passed away at 6:10 AM on Saturday, March 25, 2017 at Proctor Place in Peoria.
He was born on June 28, 1921, the son of Freeman and Teresa (Nader) Beck in Kickapoo, Il. He was a 1939 graduate of Spalding Institute and a 1943 graduate of the Caterpillar Tractor Co. Apprentice Course, where he proudly worked for more than 43 years.
He married Patricia Bienemann on June 15, 1944. They had five children, Steve (Carolyn) of St. Mary’s, OH; Therese (Eamonn) Murtagh of Reston, VA; Maggie (Bill Griffin) of Annapolis, MD; Joe (Jeri) of Birmingham, AL; and Betsy (Randy) Justis of Bettendorf, IA. He had nine grandchildren: Matthew and Katie Beck; Maureen Murtagh Horner and Pat Murtagh Balasavage; George and Will Griffin; Zach Beck; and Ellen and Laura Justis.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife; sisters Florence and Sr. Rosalie; and brothers John, Pete, Bill, and Fabian.
George was a wonderful husband and father, always making sure his family was provided for. He was the part of The Greatest Generation. He proudly served as a Merchant Marine in World War II as Engineer Second Class on many transport ships. After the war he worked in the Caterpillar East Peoria and Aurora plants, retiring in 1982.
His skill for building and creating was part of his personal life, having built two homes and countless home repair projects for his family and friends. He could fix anything. He enjoyed traveling, gardening, reading nonfiction, and loved a good joke.
In retirement, George enjoyed many rounds of golf with his Sandtrapper friends, even winning a few tournaments. He also enjoyed attending auctions for most of his life and was always ready to share his finds with others. “What do you need from the auction?” he always asked.
George leaves behind his family; sisters-in-law Elizabeth Bienemann and Sandy Beck; brother-in-law Casey Schmitt; many nieces and nephews; Mary Thompson, a special friend; and his Proctor Place friends. He will be missed in many ways.
Visitation will be held between the hours of 5:00 PM till 7:00 PM on Thursday, March 30, 2017 at Wright and Salmon Mortuary. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, March 31, 2017 at 11:00 AM at St. Philomena's Church. Father David Richardson will officiate and burial will be in Resurrection Mausoleum with a luncheon to follow at St. Mary's Church in Kickapoo.
Friends may sign the online guestbook or send private condolences by logging onto www.wrightandsalmon.com.
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He was born on June 28, 1921, the son of Freeman and Teresa (Nader) Beck in Kickapoo, Il. He was a 1939 graduate of Spalding Institute and a 1943 graduate of the Caterpillar Tractor Co. Apprentice Course, where he proudly worked for more than 43 years.
He married Patricia Bienemann on June 15, 1944. They had five children, Steve (Carolyn) of St. Mary’s, OH; Therese (Eamonn) Murtagh of Reston, VA; Maggie (Bill Griffin) of Annapolis, MD; Joe (Jeri) of Birmingham, AL; and Betsy (Randy) Justis of Bettendorf, IA. He had nine grandchildren: Matthew and Katie Beck; Maureen Murtagh Horner and Pat Murtagh Balasavage; George and Will Griffin; Zach Beck; and Ellen and Laura Justis.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife; sisters Florence and Sr. Rosalie; and brothers John, Pete, Bill, and Fabian.
George was a wonderful husband and father, always making sure his family was provided for. He was the part of The Greatest Generation. He proudly served as a Merchant Marine in World War II as Engineer Second Class on many transport ships. After the war he worked in the Caterpillar East Peoria and Aurora plants, retiring in 1982.
His skill for building and creating was part of his personal life, having built two homes and countless home repair projects for his family and friends. He could fix anything. He enjoyed traveling, gardening, reading nonfiction, and loved a good joke.
In retirement, George enjoyed many rounds of golf with his Sandtrapper friends, even winning a few tournaments. He also enjoyed attending auctions for most of his life and was always ready to share his finds with others. “What do you need from the auction?” he always asked.
George leaves behind his family; sisters-in-law Elizabeth Bienemann and Sandy Beck; brother-in-law Casey Schmitt; many nieces and nephews; Mary Thompson, a special friend; and his Proctor Place friends. He will be missed in many ways.
Visitation will be held between the hours of 5:00 PM till 7:00 PM on Thursday, March 30, 2017 at Wright and Salmon Mortuary. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, March 31, 2017 at 11:00 AM at St. Philomena's Church. Father David Richardson will officiate and burial will be in Resurrection Mausoleum with a luncheon to follow at St. Mary's Church in Kickapoo.
Friends may sign the online guestbook or send private condolences by logging onto www.wrightandsalmon.com.
Previous Events
Visitation
Thursday
30
Mar
5:00 PM
- 7:00 PM
Wright & Salmon Mortuary
2416 N North St
Peoria, IL 61604
Funeral Mass
Friday
31
Mar
11:00 AM
St. Philomena Catholic Church
1000 W. Albany Ave
Peoria, IL 61604
Cemetery Details
Location
Resurrection Cemetery & Mausoleum
7519 N Allen Rd
Peoria, IL 61614
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