Tombstone Tuesday–Leslie G. Becher

Leslie Becher, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Mercer County, Ohio. (2011 photo by Karen)

Leslie Becher, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Mercer County, Ohio. (2011 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of Lesile G. Becher, located in row 9 of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Chattanooga, Mercer County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

BECHER
Leslie G.
1904-1982

Leslie George Becher was born 22 December 1904 in Liberty Township, Mercer County, Ohio. He was the fourth of eight children born to William P. and Katie (Schaadt) Becher. His parents gave their residence as Chattanooga, Ohio, on his county birth registration, which was reported by Fred Alt. [1]

Leslie was baptized at Zion Chatt on 29 January 1908 with George Becher and his wife serving as his sponsors. Leslie was confirmed by Rev. J.E. Albrecht at Zion Chatt on 1 June 1919.

In 1910 Leslie, age 5, lived with his parents and four siblings, Marie, Leona, Matilda, and Bertha, in Liberty Township, Mercer County. [2]

Leslie, at age 15, was still living at the Liberty Township farm with his parents and five siblings in 1920. His youngest sister Bernice was born in 1915 and two infant sisters had died since the last census was taken. [3]

By 1930 Leslie had evidently moved out of the family home. Only three family members resided in the William Becher household in 1930: William, 58; Katie, 52; and Bernice, 14. [4] I do not know where Leslie was living in 1930.

By 1940 Leslie was once again living with his mother in Liberty Township and farming the family farm. This was the also same place he had lived in 1935. Leslie was single, 34 years old, and his mother was 62 and a widow. Her husband William had died of a heart attack 2 years before. They lived near some people I remember: Argyle Bransteter, Gus Weitz, and Teddy and Carrie Leininger. [5]

Leslie Becher died from a cardiac arrest on 31 January 1982 in Monroe, Adams County, Indiana. Ketcham-Ripley was in charge of the arrangements. He was 77 years old and his sister Berniece (Becher) Stetler was the informant for information on his death certificate. His address was route 1 Monroe and he worked as an auto mechanic. He did not serve in the military. His death certificate gives his date of death as 31 January but that he was pronounced dead on 1 February. [6] I have been unable to find a marriage record for him.

 

[1] “Ohio, County Births, 1841-2003,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org : accessed 17 Sep 2016), Leslie G Becher, 22 Dec 1904; from Mercer, Ohio, Births, Vol 4, p.17, line 50; from FHL microfilm 914953.

[2] 1910 U.S. Census, Liberty, Mercer, Ohio, ED 119, p.18A, dwelling 397, family 348, William Becher; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 28 Aug 2016); from FHL microfilm 1375227, from NARA microfilm T624, roll 1214.

[3] 1920 U.S. Census, Liberty, Mercer, Ohio, ED 140, p.11B, dwelling 226, family 245, William P Becher; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 28 Aug 2016); from NARA microfilm T625, roll 1418.

[4] 1930 U.S. Census, Liberty, Mercer, Ohio, ED 20, p.11A, dwelling & family 259, William Becker; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 28 Aug 2016); from FHL microfilm 2341584, from NARA microfilm T626, roll 1850.

[5] 1940 U.S. Census, Liberty, Mercer, Ohio, ED 54-22, p.3A, line 37, Leslie Becker; digital image by subscription Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 17 Sep 2016); from NARA microfilm T627, roll 3114.

[6] Indiana, Death Certificates, 1899-2011, Leslie George Becher, 31 Jan 1982, State no.003039; database on-line, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 17 Sep 2016); Indiana State Board of Health, Indiana Archives and Records Administration, Indianapolis, Indiana.

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