John Merland Becker

Mar. 25. 1936 - Aug. 13, 2014

John M. Becker, 78, of South Bend, IN was bored with his retirement, and so decided to have an adventure. He left this Earth at 10:45a.m., Wednesday, August 13, 2014 from his home. He was born on March 25, 1936 in South Bend, IN to the late John “Jack” Becker and Audrey (Lake) Becker.

John is survived by his daughter, Dr. Maria (Jeremy) Becker Yates of Monticello, IN; son, Michael (Kim) Becker of South Bend, IN; his dear companion, Nancy Dustman of South Bend, IN; two grandsons, Jack Becker Yates and Seth Becker. He is also survived by three brothers-in-law, Charles Nelson of Mishawaka, IN, Donald Nelson of South Bend, IN and Dr. Kenneth Woolling of Indianapolis, IN and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Catherine Woolling of Indianapolis, IN and his first love from the age of 16 years old, Dr. Jeanine Becker in 1997.

John was a lifelong resident. He served his country honorably in the United States Marines during the Korean Conflict. He retired after 32 years as a South Bend Firefighter from Station 2. He was on Squad 21 in the 1960’s, at Station 12 and was also a fire/rescue diver and on the Hazmat Team. He was an elite firefighter; one of those fearless individuals that leaped through burning doorways, axe in hand, pulling victims from the flames, or car accidents or thee treacherous waters of the St. Joseph River, and delivered a few babies in automobiles to mothers too slow to the hospital. He was a hero in the truest sense of the word. He was an avid fisherman, a proud grandfather and made fast friends wherever he would go.

He was lucky in love twice in his lifetime; first, to Jeanine for 37 years and then with Nancy Dustman for his last 11 years. He was a lifelong member of St. Matthew Cathedral and the South Bend Firefighters Association. The world is a dimmer place without him.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, August 18, 2014 at the Palmer Funeral Home-Guisinger Chapel, 3718 S. Michigan St. South Bend, IN. Burial will follow at Southlawn Cemetery, South Bend. Friends may visit with the family from 2:00-6:00 p.m. Sunday and one hour prior to the services Monday in the funeral home.

Contributions in memory of John M. Beck may be offered to South Bend Fire Fighters Association, 4025 Lincolnway West. South Bend, IN 46628. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com

01/14/2023 DEC