John R. Beck of Watsontown passed away peacefully at Williamsport South Nursing and Rehabilitation on Friday, August 23, 2024, on his 96th birthday.
He was born August 23, 1928, in Delaware Twp., Northumberland Co., the son of the late Norman P. and Mary Ellen Beck. In June 1955, he married the former Thelma E. Crawford. She predeceased him in 1987.
He enlisted in the U.S. Army and after basic training attended engineering school at Fort Belvoir, VA for 8 weeks. He later joined an Army engineer in heavy construction. After completing his training, he was sent to England for four years to help rebuild airstrips. He also served six months in Thule, Greenland where construction of the first airstrip on the ice cap was begun. John then served three years in Germany, one year in Korea and one year in Vietnam where he was a battalion sergeant. He retired from the military on August 31, 1969 after 20 years of service.
After retiring from military service, he returned to Delaware Twp. and worked as a machine operator for Middlecreek Construction in Winfield. He then moved to Fayetteville, NC to be near the military hospital at Fort Bragg and worked there as a construction supervisor. After the death of his wife in August 1987, John moved back to Watsontown.
He was a life member of the Turbotville VFW Muffley-Huff Post 8206 and the Watsontown American Legion Post 323. John was captain of the VFW Color Guard and assisted with soldier burials from 1994 to 2019.
He and his companion Jean L. Fleeger traveled throughout the country over the years until her death on February 25, 2020.
Surviving are his brother Max Beck of Watsontown and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his six sisters: Hazel Willett, Ruth Dentler, Jane Zarr, Helen Byers, Geraldine Haines and Nancy Kilgus, as well as two brothers: Charles Beck and Elmer Beck, who died in Germany during World War II.
A wake will be held on Tuesday, August 27th from 6 to 8 p.m. at St. John’s Lutheran “Delaware Run” Church, 6590 Musser Lane, Watsontown, and on Wednesday, August 28th from 10 to 11 a.m. at the church, with burial at 11 a.m. Burial will follow with full military honors at Delaware Run Cemetery.
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