Loren L. Beck

Loren L. Beck, age 94, died on June 10, 2012. Loren was born on April 29, 1918 to Fred and Grace Beck. Loren married Luella A. (Damman) on June 29, 1946. She survives. Loren graduated from Liberty Center High School in 1936 and the Ohio State University in 1942 with a degree in Vocational Agriculture. Loren enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1942 and rose to the rank of Captain. His ship, LSM 29, a troop carrier earned 3 wartime battle citations for the liberation of the Philippines on October 20, 1944, the invasion of the Lingayen Gulf on January 9, 1945, and the invasion and occupation of Okinawa April 1 - June 17, 1945. Loren was a school teacher, farmer, and graduate student at Iowa State University before moving to Gibsonburg in 1956 to become an insurance agent. Loren was dedicated to his church and schools serving as Sunday School Superintendent, as a member of Church Council, and as Church President. He was a board member of Gibsonburg Schools, a founding board member of Vanguard Vocational Center, and a founding Trustee of Terra Community College. Loren and Luella enjoyed 25 years of winter retirement in Florida. Loren was able to travel extensively, visiting all 50 states, mostly by train. When travel was no longer possible he explored town on his 3 wheel bicycle. In addition to his wife of 65 years, Loren is survived by four children, LaNette (Terry) Beaverson of Van Wert, Ladd (Diane) Beck of Gibsonburg, Douglas (Kathy) Beck of Holgate, OH, Renee (Larry) Graser of Gibsonburg and daughter in law, Dr. Cynthia Beck of Gibsonburg. Son, Damon Beck preceded him in death. Loren is survived by nine grandchildren, Sheena, Erin, Colby, Jason, Brandon, Brittni, Drew, Trevor and Jessica; four great-grandchildren and by his sister, Bernadine (Donald) Drummond. He is preceded in death by sisters, Esther Beck and Loretta ZumFelde and brothers Vernon and Norman. Visitation will be held on Sunday, June 17, 2012 from 3-7 p.m. at the Herman-Kinn-Veh Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Gibsonburg. Services will be on Monday at Zion Lutheran Church at 3 p.m. with one hour of visitation at church prior to the services. Pastor Blair Miller will officiate. Burial will follow at West Union Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Zion Lutheran Church or the Gibsonburg Educational Foundation in Loren's memory.