DENNIS CARL "DENNY" BECKER

DENNIS CARL "DENNY" BECKER, 70, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 6, 2021, at his home. Born Feb. 6, 1951, in New Haven, Ind., he was the fourth child of the late Carl and Charlotte (Wiese) Becker. Dennis graduated from New Haven High School, where he excelled in academics and athletics and where, most importantly, he began dating his future wife, Nancy (Netherland), whom he married in 1973. They loved each other and were each other's best friends and steadfast companions for the 55+ years they were together. Dennis graduated from Indiana University and went on to receive his Juris Doctorate from the Georgetown University Law Center. He excelled in his over 40 years of practicing law in Fort Wayne, receiving numerous Best Lawyer in America and Super Lawyer awards. He was also a tireless volunteer, committee member, and supporter of the various communities in which he was involved. Denny served on numerous community and corporate boards of directors. He served as Chairman of Matthew 25 Health and Care, The Lutheran Foundation, and Lutheran Social Services boards, and as a board member for Ohio Art, Concordia Plan Services, LCMS Board of Directors, Lutheran Federal Credit Union, and a special IPFW committee that commissioned the campus' Mastodon statue. He treasured the years he spent working with Concordia Theological Seminary and the many relationships he fostered there. He was a member at St. Paul's Lutheran in Fort Wayne and Lake George Lutheran Chapel in Fremont, Ind., and he took great comfort and strength from his faith. He was also an avid reader of books and print newspapers, and a collector of historical flasks, Indiana Beer bottles, and ephemera. He enjoyed most of all simply spending time with his wonderful group of friends and loving family. He was an incredibly loving and supportive father - he loved talking to his sons about their lives, their children, their jobs, and IU basketball and football several times each week - a beloved grandfather, and a caring husband. He will be greatly missed. He is survived by his wife, Nancy; sons, Devin (Kristin) and Tyson (Kady); grandchildren, Jack, Josie, Nolan, Agnes, and Wallace; siblings, Larry (Karen), Bill (Linda), Jeff (Marie), and Becky Lynch; and sisters-in-law, Sally Swihart (Thomas D.) and Kim Netherland. He was also preceded in death by his brother, Ron; brother-in-law, Terry Lynch; and niece, Beth. Funeral service is 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 1126 S. Barr St., Fort Wayne, with visitation one hour prior. Visitation also from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Harper's Community Funeral Home, 740 St. Rd. 930 E., New Haven. Burial in Emanuel Lutheran Cemetery, New Haven. Preferred memorials are to St. Paul Lutheran Church, Lake George Lutheran Chapel, Matthew 25 Health and Care, Concordia Theological Seminary for Student Aid or the Fort Wayne Commission for African American Males Inc. To share online condolences, visit www.harperfuneralhome.com