Benjamin L. Beck

Benjamin Lucas Beck (U.S.N. Ret.) of Dover died Wednesday, December 15, after a brief illness.

Born July 5, 1925 in Canton he was a son of the late Norrell and Pearl White Beck. Ben was also preceded in death by his sister, Ruth Bethards.

Ben was a 1943 graduate of Louisville High School - then served in the U.S. Navy until the end of World War II. He was the youngest officer on a mine-sweeper in the Pacific Ocean. While on leave, in 1945, he married his high school sweetheart the love of his life, Donna Jeanne Infield Beck. Ben and Donna were married for 65 years.

Ben remained on active reserve after the war achieving the rank of Commander. Ben served as commanding officer of the Naval Reserve Center, Canton, Ohio. He retired from active reserve in 1985.

Ben joined J.A. Raeder, Inc of Dover, Ohio in 1972 and was president of Raeder Construction until he sold the company in 2002. Prior to that, Ben worked for Canton Floors, Canton, Ohio for 21 years. He was a past president of the Ohio Contractors Association, Union Country Club and an active member of the Louisville, Ohio Rotary.

He is survived by his wife, Donna Jeanne Infield Beck, his oldest son, Randall G. Beck of Lousville, his youngest son Kevin M. Beck and daughter-in-law, Judith Beck of Boone, North Carolina. He will be missed by his many friends and family.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday, December 19, 2010 at 2:00 pm in the Toland-Herzig Funeral Home and Crematory at Dover with Rev. Larry Hinkle officiating. Private family interment will be at Forrest Hill Cemetery in Canton. Friends can call at the funeral home one hour prior to the service on Sunday. Those wishing to express their fondest memories of Ben may do so by visiting the on line obituaries link on the funeral homes website.

Memorial contributions may be made to Christ United Methodist Church at 600 East Gorgas St., Louisville, Ohio 44641.

Toland-Herzig
330-343-6132
www.tolandherzig.com