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Obituary of Ben F. Bekker

Princeville – Our loving husband, dad, and grandfather, Ben F. Bekker, 73, went to his eternal home to be with the Lord on November 7, 2009. 

Ben was born in Isabella, OK, on November 23, 1935, to Abraham and Caroline Bechtold Bekker.  He was the youngest of six children, Theodore Bekker, Raymond Bekker, Virginia Bekker Thomas, Melinda Bekker Stone, and Lillie Bekker Morrison.  His family moved to the West Coast when he was young and he lived in California where he met his wife, Carolee Murdock-Frantz.  They married in Ontario, CA, on December 19, 1970. 

Ben is survived by his wife, Carolee Ann Bekker; his daughters, Rhonda Lennon of Reno, NV, Denise Hays of Riverside, CA, and Dawn Adkins of Princeville, IL; his sons, Benny Bekker and Ken Bekker  both of Sparks, NV, and Todd Frantz of Camarillo, CA; 22 grandchildren; and 4 great-grandchildren.  His parents, two brothers, three sisters, one infant son, Shane Bekker, and one great-grandson, Lucas Benjamin Keith Adkins preceded him in death.

Ben and Carolee later moved from Ontario, CA, to rural Rio, IL, in 1974, where they resided until 2007, when they moved to Princeville, IL.  Ben was employed as a millwright out of Local 2158, Rock Island, IL, and retired in 1996.  He was a self-taught accomplished woodcarver and had a truly blessed talent from God.  He had carved over 30 wildlife ducks, pheasants, and geese.  Ben also did many pencil sketches.

Ben enjoyed hunting and fishing with his children and grandchildren.  He also was an avid reader, and his greatest joy was being around his family.  Ben enjoyed his family so much they were the most important thing in his life.  He was loved very much and will be so greatly missed.  Ben was always there to help whoever needed him and would do anything for his family.  He had such a loving heart, and was so concerned with everyone else before himself, even when he spent his last week of life with so much pain.  We have lost such an important daily figure in all of our lives.

Ben was a choir member at First United Methodist Church, Galesburg, where he and his wife, Carolee were members for over 30 years. 

Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m. Saturday, November 14, 2009, at First United Methodist Church, Galesburg.  Rev. Marilyn Anell will officiate.  Visitation will be one hour prior to funeral services.  Burial will be in Pottstown Cemetery, Peoria. 

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church, Galesburg.

Hammitt-Hott Funeral Home, Princeville, is in charge of arrangements. 

Private condolences may be sent to the family by clicking here.