COAL TOWNSHIP — LaRue E. (Herb) Beck, 84, of 1212 W. Fern St., formerly of Ranshaw, was called to her Lord and Savior at 5 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 19, 2013. She was surrounded by her husband and children, the loves of her life.
She was born in Shamokin, Jan. 25, 1928, a daughter of the late Gurney and Maude (Morgan) Herb.
She was a member of the Shamokin High School Class of 1946. After high school, she attended the University of Virginia at Norfolk, where she earned a degree as a paraprofessional.
She also took great pleasure in working as a ship to shore operator for Bell Telephone. She loved to travel, having visited Jerusalem, Bethlehem, North Africa and Hawaii.
LaRue dedicated her life to serving the community of Shamokin. She belonged to many organizations and committees. She was chairman of the Pennsylvania (Northwest) Unity Committee from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, chairman of the Pennsylvania Commission on Human Rights in Harrisburg, chairman of the Northumberland County Recreational Commission, chairman of the Northumberland County Recreational Commission (parks and facilities committee) and chairman of the Northumberland County Board of Assistance. She was recommended by Sen. Edward Helfrick and served on the board for 18 years.
LaRue served as secretary/treasurer of the Advisory Board and choir director at Northwestern Academy. She served as president of the Ranshaw Civic Association for 21 years and president of the Brady Friendship Club for 13 years. She was Republican committeewoman for Ranshaw and served as judge of elections from 1998 to 2011.
LaRue was a volunteer for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the Multiple Sclerosis Society, the Humane Society and the National Association for Lung Disease. In 1996, she was given the designation of bronze leader by the Disabled American Veterans for outstanding devotion and generosity.
She taught summer session classes at Lycoming College on parliamentary procedure. She also taught remedial reading and remedial math from 1976 to 1980 at the Shamokin Area School District.
LaRue served for 16 years on the Shamokin Area School Board, earning the respect and support of her colleagues and friends. She held the position of president, vice president and treasurer.
She often said that her greatest joy was the 53 years she served in the PTA. She truly loved working with and for the children of Shamokin Area. She represented Pennsylvania at 37 state conventions and 11 national conventions. She won many awards during her service with the PTA. Her greatest achievement was receiving the national PTA's highest honor, the "Child Advocacy Award." It was the first given in Pennsylvania for devotion to the care and welfare of all children.
LaRue is survived by her husband of 58 years, Jack Beck. Together they had six children, who survive. Carolyn (Beck) Drumheller, of New Ringgold, Robert F. Beck, of Shamokin, Barbara A. (Beck) Masteller, of Bloomsburg, Deborah K. Beck, of Shamokin, Treina (Beck) Mariano, of Coal Township, and John H. Beck, of Danville; 14 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. A sister, Leona (Herb) Bogus, of Oxford, also survives as the last member of her immediate family.
In addition to her parents, LaRue was proceeded in death by three brothers, Leroy Herb, Gurney Herb and Jay Herb, and two sisters, Marcella Herb and Treina (Herb) Magennis.
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BECK — LaRue E. (Herb) Beck, 84, of 1212 W. Fern St., Coal Township, formerly of Ranshaw. A funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the First United Methodist Church, 102 E. Sunbury St., Shamokin, with the Rev. Zachery Hopple officiating. Burial will be in Northumberland Memorial Park, Stonington. A viewing will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the church and from 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday in the church. The immediate family will provide flowers. Donations can be made to First United Methodist Church, 102 E. Sunbury St., Shamokin 17872. Those wishing to make monetary contributions to the LaRue Beck Scholarship Fund, please make checks payable to: Shamokin Area School District — LaRue Beck Scholarship Fund. Send donations to Shamokin Area School District, 200 W. State St., Coal Township 17866.