David Beck

DAVID BECK

CARTHAGENA — Father David John Beck, age 75, of Carthagena, Ohio, passed away June 27, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia, where he was vacationing.

He was born September 26, 1941 in Toledo, Ohio to Frank and Virginia (Lesniewicz) Beck, both life-long residents of the Toledo area.

He attended St. Francis de Sales High School in Toledo where he played center on the offensive line for the football team. After graduating high school in 1959 he entered Saint Meinrad Seminary, Indiana, where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in Philosophy. He then completed his seminary formation at Mt. St. Mary's Seminary, Cincinnati. He was ordained May 27, 1967, exactly 50 years and one month prior to his passing.

In addition to his seminary degrees, Father Beck also earned Master's degrees from Xavier University in Cincinnati and Loyola of Chicago.

Affectionately known to most as "Father Dave," he served the Toledo Diocese in many urban and rural parishes ministering to both English and Spanish-speaking parishioners. Over the years, these parishes included St. John Parish, Defiance; Immaculate Conception Parish, Port Clinton; Saints Peter and Paul Parish, Toledo; St. Joseph Parish, Paulding; Immaculate Conception Parish, Cecil; St. Patrick Parish, Bryan; St. Mary Parish, Bluffton; St. John the Evangelist Parish, Lima; St. Mary Parish, Toledo; St. Michael Parish, Toledo; St. Michael the Archangel Parish, Findlay; St. Jude Parish, Toledo; and St. Charles Borromeo Parish, Lima. He was granted Senior Priest Status in 2009.

Father Dave loved to travel around the globe to share God's message, explore different places, learn new cultures and meet people who would become life-long friends. He was always looking forward to his next trip, whether it was to the East coast, West coast, Memphis, Europe, Mexico or Canada. But, his favorite trips were those to Kenya where he would visit his beloved Assumption Sisters of Nairobi.

Father Dave was an avid reader and loved movies and live shows. His eclectic taste broadened his open mind into different cultures, times and circumstances. He never met a stranger and would do anything to help others, even simply by making them laugh. His authenticity and approachable nature drew others in and opened the door to learning about how God was working in their lives.

St. Charles Senior Living Community in Carthagena, Ohio had been his home since his retirement in 2009.

Survivors include his brother, Dennis (Patty) Beck; sisters-in-law, Andrea (Clay) Warling and Lilly Beck; nieces Leslie (Jim) Hartigan and Margie (Tarek) Denaika; nephew, Donny (Milly) Beck; and nine great nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Father Dave was preceded in death by his brother, Donald Beck; sister-in-law, Martha (Preston) Beck; and nieces Meredith (Brad) Kaufman and Megan Beck.

Father Dave was fortunate to be surrounded by special friends who welcomed him into their lives and their families including Del and Josie Smith, Bill and Kitty Hanz, and especially Florian and Susan Smith.

On Friday, July 7, 2017, visitation will held at 9:00 a.m. until the Funeral Mass, which will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Lima. The Rite of Committal and interment will be held at 4:00 p.m. at Calvary Cemetery in Toledo, Ohio.

Visitation will be held Thursday, July 6, 2017 beginning with Reception of the Body and Evening Prayer at 4:00 p.m. at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 777 South Main, Lima, Ohio. Visitation will conclude Thursday evening at 8:00 p.m.

Memorial contributions will be forwarded to the Assumption Sisters of Nairobi.

Condolences and memories can be shared at www.birkenkampfuneralhome.com.