Becker, Henry J. (1894-1975)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1975 Feb 27 p. 11

Birth date: 1894 Aug 29, Kansas
Date of Death: 1975 Jan 5, Oklahoma

text of obituary:

HENRY J. BECKER

Henry J. Becker was the son of immigrant parents who came to Kansas from Polish Russia in the centennial migration of 1874. He was born on Aug. 29, 1894 at Moundridge, Kan. to Jacob B. and Mary Jantz Becker, the sixth of 12 children, and died in the Bass memorial Hospital, Enid, Okla., on Jan. 5, 1975 at the age of 80.

In 1900 his family came to Oklahoma where they settled on the farm northwest of Ringwood which was his home at the time of his death.

Henry was baptized by Rev. J. B. Epp on June 11, 1916 and became a member of the New Hopedale Mennonite Church.

In 1917, when World War I was in progress, Henry was denied exemption as a conscientious objector by his county board so he accepted induction as a noncombatant soldier. He was sent to officer training school by the military establishment but soon realized that he could not conscientiously serve. He stood by his convictions and was sentenced to a 25-year term in the Fort Leavenworth Disciplinary Barracks. This sentence was commuted to 18 months after the signing of the armistice, and he returned to his farm home in April 1919.

On Sept. 28, 1919 he was married to Ruie Ratzlaff, daughter of Rev. and Mrs. J. J. Ratzlaff, and they established their home on a farm a mile and a half northeast of his boyhood home. Three daughters and one son were born to them.

On April 21, 1972 an automobile accident took the life of Ruie. The years following were lonely ones for Henry as he continued to live alone in the big house on the farm, but he occupied himself with numerous projects and hobbies. He often expressed the wish that he could stay in his farm home for the rest of his life. This wish was granted and he remained active until he entered the hospital a few weeks before his death.

He is survived by the following children: Frances and Daniel Ewy of Fresno, Calif., Phyllis and Arnold Jantzen of Ringwood, Okla., Paul and Ellen Becker of Riegelsville, Pa., and Janora and Arlin Ratzlaff of Osawtomie, Kan.

Also surviving are 13 grandchildren and two great grandchildren; two brothers, Dietrich of Phoenix, Ariz. and Clarence of Lakeville, Ind.; five sisters, Susie Kehn, Nina Unruh, and Mary Jantz, all of Enid, Martha Decker of Texline, Texas, and Hilda Kane of North Hollywood, Calif. He was preceded in death by two brothers, John and Fred, and two sisters, Ida Jantz and Lizzie Unruh.

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MLA Personal Photos Collection

Biographical note:
Moundridge, Kansas
Son of Jacob B. and Mary (Jantz) Becker
Married Ruie May Ratzlaff 1919 September 28, Meno, Oklahoma
Farmer -- Helena, Oklahoma

Bethel alumni note:

Photo holdings:
With wife (wedding) -- 1919

Sources:
Obits
Esther (Ratzlaff) Schrag and Kathryn (Ratzlaff) Blair corresp. 1989
Grandma Online profile 280481
Find A Grave 83369487