Leonard Willibault Beck (1908 - 1989)

Born 3 Sep 1908 in Dayton, Montgomery County, Ohio, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Mary Mildred (Nartker) Beck — married 6 Jun 1931 in Holy Trinity Church, Dayton, Montgomery County, Ohio, United States

Descendants

Died 27 Nov 1989 at age 81 in Washington Manor Nursing Home, Dayton, Montgomery County, Ohio, United States

Biography

Leonard Willibault Beck made jewelry and painted and fired china. Sister Helen Marie Beck, S.N.D. said that Leonard's middle name was William, but Leonard Henry. Beck believes that the middle name William was used because it was easier for the kids and grandchildren to use. Also, his son, Leonard Henry Beck, has a china clock that was painted and fired by his father. His wife, Mary Mildred Nartker, said of Leonard, "Diamonds were his first love; so, she never got in the way." He was sent to St. Joseph Orphanage in Dayton, OH, when his mother died in 1918. Leonard had 3 brothers and 5 sisters. The first 3 children were born at home and the other 4 were born in the hospital. Leonard never had anything unpleasant to say about his stay in the orphanage. Since he was an artist, he was one of the most favored children. Leonard was apprenticed at 16 to H.F. Schelow of Dayton, OH. Mr. Schelow owned his own jewelry store, and sold rings and all kinds of jewelry. Wen World War II started Leonard too old to go to war, so the men had to work the factory. He was an apprentice at GM and became an engineer until retirement.

Leonard milked cows and working in the orchards picking apples; so, he told the driver that he would like to eat one, and was told, "I'll give you and apple the horses drop."

According to the Beck Tree written by Sister Helen Marie Beck, S.N.D.:

"Leonard W. Beck and Mary Mildred Nartker are the parents of 7 children.

"From 1923 to 1943 Leonard worked for Henry F. Shelow Mfg. Jeweler, where he learned all of the different traits of manufacturing jewelry, and became a diamond setter and supervisor of the Jewelry Shop.

"In 1943, Leonard took employment with the Delco Products Co. as Jeweler/Diamond Setter/Tool Engineer in the Drafting Department.

"Leonard is also a Diamond Gemologist, having received his certificate from the Gemological Institute of America in 1965.

"In 1946, Leonard was in a severe accident. When crossing the street to go to lunch he was knocked down by a motorist and suffered a seven inch skull fracture. It was a miracle that he recovered from this injury.

"Leonard retired in 1969.

"Leonard and Mildred lived on Wroe Ave in Dayton, OH, and then retired to a small ranch in Kettering. (Changed by input from Florence Ann Kelble Beck.)

"On 4/9/1981, Leonard and Mildred were in a car accident. Leonard suffered broken ribs and Mildred had a broken right arm. Both were badly bruised. Their car was a total wreck. They were fortunate to have escaped more serious injury.

"6/13/1981, they celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary with a Mass in Holy Trinity Church where they were married. Frather Henry Beck, OFM (nephew) celebrated te Mass, and his father, Deacon Henry Beck served the Mass. All 7 children wit their families were present. Their immediate family at this time numbered fifty.

"Leondard died on 11/27, 1989, in the Washington Nursing Center, Centerville, OH. His funeral was 11/30, 1989 at St. Albert the Great Church. All 7 of his children were present at the funeral. Burial was made in Calvary Cemetery, Dayton, OH. All of Leonard's brothers and sisters were present except Sister Lucy, in Techny, Ill. due to illness.^[1]

Sources

The Beck Tree, compiled by Sister Helen Marie Beck, S.N.D on 11/1/1980. (There were a few changes made 1/1/1990.) Input was done by George Brundage in 2013 with the advice of Florence Kelble Beck.

Descendant List of Jacob Allgeyer, 8/5/2014, provided by Jack Hilbing to George Brundage, who made changes to several Beck profiles based on the information contained in this listing. These changes were input on 11/15/2014.

Footnotes

1. ↑ Entered by George Brundage.

Acknowledgments

Thanks to George Brundage for starting this profile. Click the Changes tab for the details of contributions by George and others.