Dale Dean Becker

My husband, our dad, and grandpa, Dale Dean Becker, was born January 28, 1946, to Kermit and Sophia (Unruh) Becker at Moundridge, Kansas. He peacefully passed from this life on his wife’s birthday, May 16, 2025, at his home in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, surrounded by the ones he loved. Dad grew up near Canton, Kansas, on a dairy farm. His childhood with three older brothers, was full of action and fun; nevertheless, rule and order were a part of growing up. His father made sure they got up on time. Part of the getting up ritual was knowing when the outhouse door slammed, they had better be up! He attended Sunny Hill Elementary School near Canton. Dad felt the call of God and had an experience of new birth as a young man. He was baptized on December 4, 1957, at the Lone Tree Church by Min. Abe D. Koehn, becoming a member of the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite. In 1965, Dale left home to serve his country as a soldier in the Vietnam War. He spent nearly two years in the armed forces. His time in the military deeply impacted him and shaped his perspective in lasting ways. After returning home he met Joyce Vaughn of Bentley, Kansas. We were married at the Pleasant Valley Church in Bentley on August 30, 1968. We made our first home in Valley Center, Kansas. We felt the need of a church home, and on December 10, 1972, mom was baptized and dad again reconsecrated his life during a revival at Durham, Kansas. This decision was life-changing, and today we thank God for his mercy and providence in altering the course of our life, home, and family. We were blessed with three children, a daughter and two sons. Dad worked at the Skyline mobile home factory in Halstead, Kansas, before moving to Canton. There he ran the family dairy farm together with his brother Larry. In 1986, we began a new chapter in life. After making twenty-seven trips to Gentry, Arkansas, we became a part of the new congregation there. He was ready to give of himself wherever he was needed. Dad made his living here by raising poultry and enjoyed his small herd of cows. The church meant a lot to dad, and we often heard him pray. We remember him gathering us together to pray before leaving for church. Promptness and order were important to him also. Our dad was not perfect, but our home was structured, and he believed in being straightforward, honest, and a man of his word. Though dad made some wrong turns in his life, he had a good reverse. He was a kind man and had a ready laugh in times of happiness as well as in times of difficulty. Our parents depended on each other and worked together. They had a good marriage, and we are grateful for our Christian home. Quality time bonded the grandchildren with their grandpa. They meant the world to him. Creek fishing, working in the hay field, and feeding the cows with him are good memories for them. Also fulfilling to him was giving the young children rides at the school play day with his four-wheeler and trailer. Friendships were a very meaningful part of his life. Special friends of the family were the Doug Terry family and Dave and Dawn Denton, along with a host of others. In the last couple years dad faced declining health. Mom faithfully cared for him at home, and the family is deeply grateful to Mark Alsip for his devoted care to him as well. We are thankful that dad left us with an assurance that all was well between him and his Lord. Those left behind are his loving wife, Joyce; three children, Cynthia and James Yoder of Puryear, Tennessee, Mark and Susan of Colcord, Oklahoma, and Lyle and Dianne of Gentry, Arkansas; ten grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; one brother, Gordon and Carolyn of Kirksey, Kentucky; sister-in-law Carolyn Becker of Montezuma, Kansas; sister-in-law Carolyn and Greg Shaver of Augusta, Kansas. He was preceded in death by his parents, parents-in-law, and two brothers, Larry and Marion. A visitation will be held at the Gentry Mennonite Church on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The funeral service will be held at the Gentry Mennonite Church on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. Burial will follow at the Gentry Mennonite Cemetery.

Tributes

Dale Dean Becker

January 28, 1946 - May 16, 2025