OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – Clifford Becker Sr., 79, of River Forest, formerly of Maytown, died Thursday, Dec. 30, 2010, in Overland Park, Kan.
He was born Jan. 5, 1930, in Sublette, the son of Justin and Gertrude (Vincent) Becker. He was raised in Maytown on the family farm, with his two brothers and two sisters.
He talked often of raising lambs, and the foods his mother made from their garden, and fruit and nut trees. He attended Amboy High School and Loras College, Dubuque, Iowa. While serving in the Air Force in Cheyenne, Wyo., he returned to Amboy to marry his sweetheart, Patricia O’Rourke. They shared their lives for more than 58 years. Their first son, John, was born in Albuquerque, N.M.
In 1955, they returned to Illinois, where three more children, Kathryn, Cliff Jr., and Justin, were born. Cliff had a long career with IBM Corp., and Gagliardo Realty. The family has lived in Oak Park, and been active members of St. Giles Parish for more than 50 years.
Cliff was very involved at St. Giles as treasurer for the Boy Scouts the years his sons were active, a family grievance counselor, and part of the Men’s Club. For the past 15 years, he worked with a group of other St. Giles parishioners to prepare dinner for the St. Pius soup kitchen. Always active and community oriented, Cliff was on the board of many organizations in the Oak Park area.
Cliff sold homes for Gagliardo Realty for many years before retiring and traveling, visiting his children in Kansas City and California, and spending winters in Naples, Fla., with great friends.
Cliff loved his family, and delighted in all times spent with his nine grandchildren, Elizabeth, Megan, Kalyn, Patrick, Tyler, Rayanna, Lucinda, Clare, and Ivan. His children’s spouses, Margalee, Daniel, Kristine, and Julia, were his favorites, as well as his many nieces and nephews.
Most of all Cliff loved his girl, Pat, and cared for her well. He was a holy and just man and we will miss him.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Conboy-Westchester Funeral Home, Westchester. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Giles Catholic Church, Oak Park.
Local visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Mihm-Jones Funeral Home, Amboy.
Graveside service, with military honors provided by Amboy American Legion Post 453, will be at 10 a.m. Friday at St. Patrick Cemetery, Amboy.