1933-2024
KEWANEE – J. “Wayne” Becker, 90, of Kewanee, died at 7:10 a.m., Saturday, February 17, 2024 at the Kewanee Care Home.
He was born October 7, 1933 in Two Rivers, WI, the son of George and Bernice (Schimmel) Becker. He married Donna M. Riemer on June 11, 1955 at St. John Lutheran Church in Pulcifer, WI. Survivors include his wife of Kewanee, his four sons: Tim Becker of Hickory, NC, David (Amy) Becker of Algonquin, IL, John (Kim) Becker of Toulon and Steven (Joan) Becker of Kewanee, daughter-in-law, Kelly Becker of St. Charles, MO, a brother, John Becker of Two Rivers, WI, three sisters; Delores Petska of Manitowoc, WI, Judy Goldsmith of Fon du Lac, WI, Carol (Danny) Wergin of Two Rivers, WI, eleven grandchildren; Nicole (Matt) Siewert, Maecy, McKenzie, Madelyn and Meredith Becker, Joshua Becker, Lucas and Lena Becker, Jonathan Becker, Drew Becker and fiancée Kathryn and Evan Becker and one great grandchild on the way. He was preceded in death by his parents and son, Chris Becker.
Wayne graduated from Gillett High School in Gillett, WI and attended School of Mines in Platteville, WI. He served his country in the U.S. Army during 1956-58. During his time in the Army, he was stationed in Shiraz, Iran. He assisted in the building of a station that tracked the famous Soviet satellite known as Sputnik. He had worked at US Gypsum and the Kewanee Corporation and then as a broker for Becker Health and Investments.
He was a member, elder, and councilman of Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church. Wayne was a proud member of the Kiwanis Club of Kewanee for 50-plus years having served as its President and as Lt. Governor for Division 17 and was an officer of the Kewanee Kiwanis Foundation. He had also served on the Kewanee Hospital Board, the Kewanee City Council, Kewanee Schools Foundation Board, and the Kewanee Economic Development Corporation. He was a Black Hawk East Wall of Fame honoree and an avid Green Bay Packer fan and shareholder. Wayne could often be found on the lake fishing or on the golf course where he was a member of the hole-in-one club at Baker Park Golf Course. Most of all, he loved his wife of 68 years and spending his time with family.
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