Date: January 16, 2015
The Chancery received word Thursday that Reverend Anthony J. Becker died at Franklin Grove Health Care Center, Franklin Grove, Illinois. Father was born on January 5, 1922, in Maytown, Illinois, to Anton F. and Margaret (Meister) Becker.
Mass of Christian Burial will be on January 20, 2015, at 11:00AM at St. Patrick Church, 32 N. Jones Avenue, Amboy, Illinois. Visitation will be from 9:00AM-10:45AM at the church prior to the Mass. Bishop David J. Malloy will be the main celebrant. Interment will be at St. Patrick Cemetery, Amboy, at a later date. Arrangements are being made by Mihm Jones Funeral Home, Amboy, Illinois.
Father Becker attended Pontifical College Josephinum and Seminary, Worthington, Ohio. He was ordained to the priesthood June 1, 1947, by Bishop Cicognani at Pontifical Josephinum Seminary. He later went on to earn a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at Loyola University, Chicago. Father Becker’s first assignment was as Parochial Vicar at St. Patrick Parish, McHenry, Illinois (6/1947-8/1947), He then was assigned as a member of the faculty at the Pontifical College Josephinum, Worthington, Ohio (9/1947-6/1958) before returning to graduate studies. He was Superintendent of Boylan Central Catholic High School (8/1960-8/1963); Chaplain at St. Dominic College, St. Charles, Illinois (9/1963-5/1967); Pastor of St. Mary Parish, Elgin, Illinois (5/1967-7/1973); Psychological Counselor, Elgin, Illinois (7/1973-10/1976); Pastor of St. Mary Parish, Oregon, Illinois (10/1976-7/1984); Dean of the Sterling District (1/1984-10/1988); Diocesan Consultor (2/1984-9/1992); Pastor of St. Patrick Parish, Amboy, Illinois (7/1984-9/1992); Director of the U.S. Bishops Program on Pro-Life (7/1984-9/1992). Father Becker retired from active ministry in September, 1992. One of Father’s fields of expertise was the art and science of analyzing handwriting and was recognized in 1991 by the World’s Who’s Who in Graphology as one of 200 experts in this field throughout the world.
Survivors are a sister Hilda Walzer of Mendota, and several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, sisters Mary Margaret, Frances and Kathleen and brother Walter.
