John "Jack" Beckers

On Friday, August 14, 2020, Jack Beckers, loving husband, father, and grandfather was taken abruptly at the age of 91. Jack was the son of John L Beckers and Florence Ascheman Beckers. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Richard Beckers. He is survived by his loving wife, Sally, his five children: Kelly Beckers (Roberta), Julie Sosnowski (Bob), Jackie Goforth (Bill), Chris Beckers (Companion, Shawn), Kitty Rauschert (Ken), and his adoring 11 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandson, numerous nieces and nephews and his sister Shirley Switek. Jack was born in Chicago on April 30, 1929, shortly before the big stock market crash. A few years later, his father bought a farm, and the family moved to Allegan, Michigan. They were members of the Church his father built, Blessed Sacrament, where Jack was an altar server. Life on the farm taught Jack the value of hard work, which guided him throughout his life. He graduated from Allegan High School in 1948 and was known as one of the best linebackers Allegan ever produced, selected on the all-conference team and recipient of the Van Melle Award. He earned 5 varsity letters in football and track and served as varsity co-captain of the football team. After graduation, Jack joined the Navy where he proudly served his country during the Korean War and played on the Navy football team. Upon his honorable discharge, he attended General Motors Technical Institute (Kettering University). Shortly after graduation, he snagged his wife Sally (homecoming queen, of course) with his red convertible and charm. In 1960, Jack built a home on Dumont Lake in Allegan, where his children enjoyed an idyllic childhood. Jack and Sally just celebrated 65 years of marriage. Jack worked as a master mechanic at Goodwin Road Construction. In 1975, after the closing of Goodwin, he moved to the metro Detroit area, where he worked for John Carlo Road Construction as a master mechanic until 1994. Upon retirement, he returned to his beloved hometown of Allegan. No grass grew under Jack's feet, so retirement wasn't for him. He went to work for Peterson Riverview Nursery, where he enjoyed being back on a farm. He loved assisting the Peterson's with anything that needed to be done: fixing tractors, working in fields, driving families out to pick out their Christmas Trees, and helping them cut them down. In 2000, Jack was inducted into the Allegan High School Athletic Hall of Fame. He was a loyal fan and supporter of Allegan High School athletics. It didn't matter who was on the field or court. Jack was in the stands supporting, cheering, and encouraging all the kids. He believed the commitment to sports, athletics, and health to be an important foundation for success in life. He remained an avid tennis player well into his 80's. Jack's love for the outdoors was evident to all. He maintained a large and abundant garden his entire life. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. Life was a big adventure for Jack, and he never wasted a day. Hunting that bear, skydiving, waterskiing, boating, snowmobiling, parasailing, he pursued them all well into his 80s, and he only recently gave up driving his motorcycle at 90. Jack loved his family deeply and tackled life with a never-quit-mentality. He was a man of faith and honor. He only saw the good in each and every one, and each and every situation. He was like a father to many, especially the Peterson Family, and a grandfather and friend to whomever he met along the way. He traveled many miles on his motorcycle. He blessed his family with spending time on the lake, fishing and waterskiing at the numerous family cottages. He treasured his grandkids and they treasured him. His grandkids called him "The Legend". Nothing kept Jack down, and he was a fine example of how to live life fearlessly. He had the heart of a servant, always willing to help anyone, anywhere. He always left people better than he found them. We are sure heaven is livelier with him there and that his guardian angel is now breathing a great sigh of relief! The family will receive friends at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church on Tuesday, August 18, 2020 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. The Rosary will be recited at 7:30 PM. Mass of a Christian Burial will take place at the church on Wednesday, August 19, 2020 at 11:00 AM. Inurnment with military honors will follow at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to Wings of Hope Hospice, 530 Linn Street, Allegan, MI 49010; the Allegan All-Sports Booster Club, 1560 M-40 North, Allegan, MI 49010; St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105; or the Shriners Hospitals for Children, Attn: Office of Development, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607.