Beck

Howard J. Beck, 93, of Herman died peacefully Tuesday at his home due to complications related to old age.

Born Oct. 8, 1916, dad was the son of the late Aloysius P. and Agatha Binder Beck.

Dad retired from Spang and Co. after 35 years.

Dad was a 60-year member of St. Mary of the Assumption Roman Catholic Church in Herman, serving for many years on the church council. When the church needed a volunteer, he often was the first in line.

Dad served in the U.S. Army from July 25, 1942, to Dec. 2, 1945 in the 180th Combat Engineer Battalion of Gen. George Patton's Third Army. He fought in numerous engagements including the Battle of the Bulge. Assigned to his H&S Co., he assisted in the building of bridges across the Moselle, Saar, Roer, Rhine and Elb rivers, often under extreme enemy air, artillery and small-arms fire.

He was a member of the American Legion Post 778 in Lyndora.

Dad was an avid gardener and rancher and was the CEO of the largest emu ranch in Summit Township. He also was also a member of the Herman Volunteer Fire Department for more than 50 years.

Dad's wife, Dorothy C. Green Beck, who he married Feb. 14, 1946, preceded him in death on Aug. 12, 1983.

Surviving are his daughters and their husbands, Rita and Ed Birckbichler of Lindale, Texas, and Anna Marie and Jerry Dellich of Butler; his sons, Howard "Buddy" Beck and his wife, Susie Beck, of Salt Lake City, Utah, and Richard J. Beck of Butler; a brother, George Beck of Butler; five grandchildren, Tim, Paula, Karl, Katie and Jill; and four great-grandchildren, Talya, Alysse, Avery and Amelia. Also surviving is dad's favorite grandniece, Lilly, a Pomeranian.

Three brothers and five sisters preceded him in death.

<B>BECK</B> — Friends of Howard J. Beck, who died Tuesday, May 11, 2010, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at <B>Geibel Funeral Home</B>, 201 E. Cunningham St., Butler. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday at St. Mary of the Assumption Roman Catholic Church in Herman. Interment will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery.Military honors will be by the Ceremonial Honor Squad of the VFW Post 249 and the American Legion Post 778.In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Mary of the Assumption Roman Catholic Church, 821 Herman Road, Butler, PA 16001.Information also is available at www.geibelfuneralhome.com.