Warren Becker

Visitation: Monday, November 24, 2003 from 11:00 AM until the time of the vigil

Vigil Service: Monday, November 24, 2003 at 7:00 PM in the Chapel of Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Forsyth

Funeral Mass: Tuesday, November 25, 2003 at 2:00 PM in the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Forsyth

Burial: will be in the family lot of the Forsyth Cemetery

Warren J. Becker, Sr., age 79, of Forsyth passed away on November 19,2003 at the Saint Vincent Hospital in Billings, following a courageous battle with several illnesses. Warren was born on January 23, 1924, the son of John R. and Eugenia (Fink) Becker in Laurel, MT. Warren moved with his family to various areas in the United States until settling in the Howard Valley west of Forsyth. Following his schooling, Warren returned to the farm and worked until he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in January of 1944.

Warren entered the Marine Corps as a volunteer through Salt Lake City. He was sent to the Marine Corp-Base in San Diego, California, where he spent six weeks in basic training. Warren was then shipped overseas to serve in the South Pacific during World War II. He was later assigned to a unit that was involved in final combat action cleanup and surrender of enemy forces on several islands. Warren was later attached to the First Marines Unit, which was sent into the invasion of Okinawa and Iwo Jima Islands. Warren also served in a special unit, which took new and special equipment into combat for field tests. Some of the equipment that Warren and his unit tested, such as the night vision equipment, is used a great deal today. Warren was then transferred to Headquarters Company and served with the commanding officer as an orderly.

Warren's unit was extensively involved with the surrender and capture of enemy forces from Okinawa. Following Okinawa, he was sent to Tiensen, China for over a year to disarm and take as prisoners-of-war those of the enemy that would accept a surrender and repatriation to Japan.

Warren served in two campaigns along with the thirteen months in China. Those that refused to surrender, the unit would then engage the enemy to force their surrender. In July of 1946, Warren was ordered home by the Commandant Marine Corps for immediate processing and separation from service.

Shortly after Warren returned to the United States, he met Dorothy Kurkowski. They were married on August 3, 1947 in the Immaculate Conception Church in Forsyth. Together, they made their home on the family farm west of Forsyth. Warren later was a part of starting the Valley Auto Store. He was involved with the International Harvester Company as a pilot delivering parts to farmers and ranchers throughout the community, while also working as a police officer at night. He was then employed with the Electrolux Corporation as a salesperson in which he traveled throughout the eastern part of Montana. After that, Warren and his family moved to California where he worked at a manufacturing company producing concrete pumps. He later worked for the North American Rockwell Company in Tulsa, Oklahoma, which made parts for the Apollo missions as well as for the Boeing 747 airplanes. They returned to Montana where Warren worked for Hallett Minerals in Vananda, and then later he started the Big Sky Service Station as well as the Big Sky Cafee. At the age of 59, Warren received his real estate license and was the broker/owner of Big Sky Realty. Warren also served as mayor of Forsyth for a four-year term/and later retired due to failing health.

He enjoyed camping, fishing, gardening, canning, reading, but he especially enjoyed his family and friends.

Warren is survived by his wife Dorothy of Forsyth, his children Vonnie Ferguson (Dick) of Forsyth, John Becker (Marcheta) of Laurel, Denise Becker of Miles City, Tom Becker (Mila) of Forsyth, Dan Becker (Carla) of Colstrip, George Becker (Janet) of Forsyth, Shelley Gross of Billings, Betsy Gehrke (Ron) of Gillette, Wyoming, and Renee Keyes (Mark) of Billings, his grandchildren Warren Becker III (Christina) of San Diego, California, Amber Uhren (Jeff) of Billings, Brandi Fowler (Jeff) of Hamilton, MT, Amber Schock of Miles City, Ashley Schock of Billings, Angie Schock of Laurel, Jeremy Brockel, Justin Brockel, and Damien Brockel, all of Billings, Cameron Brockel of Miles City, Tommy Becker, Jr. of Minneapolis, MN, Jerry Becker of Alhambra, Illinois, Alexandria Becker of Forsyth, Jeffrey Becker of Fort Carson, Colorado, Jethro Becker of Phoenix, AZ, Angela Hawker of San Francisco, CA, Danny Becker (Angel) of Billings, Korry Becker of Colstrip, David Becker and Katrina Becker of Forsyth, Jana Becker of Miles City, Nick Gross of Saipan, Willy Gross and Ashley Gross of Billings, Kylie Gehrke and Kaylen Gehrke of Gillette, Wyoming, Courtney Keyes and Caitlin Keyes of Billings, his great grandchildren, Skylar Wanke and Cayden Fowler of Hamilton, Brady Uhren and Emily Uhren of Billings, Colter Brockel, Mikaela Brockel and Alex Brockel of Billings, Riley Becker, Kobe Becker and McKenna Becker of Billings. Step grandchildren and great grandchildren, Sheri Seleg (Joe), Zachary, Myranda and Kelsey Seleg of Forsyth, Jennifer Johnson (Bob) and Laura of Albion" W A, and Bobbi George (Wade) and Jakob and Garrett of Glendive, and Justin Ferguson of Gillette, Wyoming.

Warren is also survived by two sisters, Esther Eastman and Gladine Nehus both of Great Falls, and one brother, Roderick Becker, of Belgrade, and also several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, and one brother, Robert Becker.

A funeral mass will be on Tuesday, November 25,2003 at 2:00 PM in the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Forsyth. Burial will be in the family lot of the Forsyth Cemetery. Visitation will be on Monday, November 24,2003 Tom 11:00 AM until the time of the vigil, which will be held on Monday, November 24,2003 at 7:00 PM in the Chapel of Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Forsyth.