John Thomas Becker, 72, of Festus died Oct. 28, 2021, at Mercy Hospital South in St. Louis County. Mr. Becker was a maintenance supervisor at LaRoche Industries in Festus. He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War in chemical weapons disposal. He was a past master of the Potosi and Shekinah Masonic lodges, and he enjoyed hunting, fishing and farming. Born Jan. 24, 1949, in Festus, he was the son of the late Anna Lee (Algire) and Warren T. Becker.
He is survived by his significant other of 25 years: Barbara Kentch; a son: Thomas Wayne Becker of Festus; a grandson: Luke Thomas Becker; two brothers: Donald Rey (Sandy) Becker of Crystal City and Warren “Ted” (Judy) Becker Jr. of Festus; a sister: Margaret Joyce (Edward) Noack of Beverly Beach, Fla.; a sister-in-law: Ruth Becker of Festus; and numerous family members.
He was preceded in death by a brother: Charles W. Becker; and an infant sister: Vera Lee Becker.
Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. with Masonic funeral services at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 3, at Vinyard Funeral Home, 616 W. Main St., in Festus, officiated by Herb Hollingsworth. Burial with full military honors will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 4, at the National Cemetery at Jefferson Barracks. Memorials may be made to the Potosi Masonic Lodge 131, 206 W. Bretton St., Potosi. Arrangements are under the direction of Vinyard Funeral Home.