John L. Beck

John Louis Beck, 86, of Circleville, passed away on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2016, at the same residence in Circleville in which he was born.

John came into this world on Nov. 15, 1929, the son of Ralph Ludwig and Ruth (Helwagen) Beck.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and by his wife, Martha (McGrew) Beck, in 1999.

John graduated from Circleville High School in 1947, attended Ohio University for two years and then went on to graduate from The Ohio State University in 1952 with a bachelor’s degree in education.

He worked as a manager at the Ohio National Bank/BancOhio in the Great Southern Shopping Center in Columbus, which is now known as PNC Bank.

John was a lifetime member of Trinity Lutheran Church, where he participated on many church committees and was instrumental in planting the Bible Garden there along with wife, Martha, and friends, Dick and Lyn Fisher.

John was a founding member of both the Pickaway County Historical Society and the Pickaway County Master Gardeners and was also a volunteer with Circle of Caring.

John enjoyed going to his grandchildren’s sporting events, gardening, classical music, orange slices and was always known to have a handkerchief, four quarters and an ink pen in his pockets.

John is survived by his daughter, Ruth (Tim) Holt; sons, John D. (Wendi) Beck, Mark E. Beck and Thomas (Thao) Beck; seven grandchildren, TJ and Chris Holt, Colin (Christina) Beck, Miles (Jackie) Beck, John and Christine Beck and Claire Beck; three great-granddaughters, Adelaide, Emma Grace and Roslyn Beck; and sister, Mary Lytle.

A Funeral Service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 19, 2016, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 135 E. Mound St., Circleville, with The Rev. Dr. Gerhard Kraus officiating. Burial will be in Forest Cemetery. Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Defenbaugh-Wise-Schoedinger Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church for the Bible Garden at the address above.

To send condolences, visit www.schoedinger.com.