Paul Arthur Becker, 78, arrived to his heavenly home on August 25, 2024. He was born in American Falls, Idaho, on December 20, 1945, to Henry and Gladys Becker. When he was two, his family traveled by ship to India to serve as missionaries. When the boat arrived, they were not sure if they would be allowed to disembark because Gandhi had just been assassinated. Paul spent the next ten years of his life in northern India. One of his favorite memories was running along the foothills of the Himalayas while he was at the boarding school Woodstock. The rest of Paul’s growing up years were spent in Oregon.

Paul graduated from Goshen College. When Paul took the Civil Service Test in Chicago, he was asked which county he wanted to work in. He knew he did not want to be in Cook County (Chicago) and the other county he could think of was Livingston. When he got the job, he looked up where Livingston County was and moved to the flat lands in Pontiac, IL, where he worked as a social worker. In the early 70’s, he went to Nepal for two years with the Peace Corp, then returned to Pontiac where he continued as a social worker until he retired. On December 20, 1975, Paul married Grace Ulrich. Paul was a member at Pontiac Bible Church in Pontiac, IL, and served as an elder and chairman of the missions committee for many years. When God blessed Paul with the opportunity to retire early, Paul and Grace spent ten years serving as missionaries in Mexico with CAM (now Avant Ministries) in both Puebla, Pue, and San Juan del Río, Querétaro. When they returned from Mexico in 2012, they moved to their ‘waterfront property’ in Bismarck, IL. Paul attended First Baptist Church in Covington, IN.

Paul enjoyed making connections with people, researching different topics, and eating pie. More importantly, Paul loved memorizing Scripture and would wake up early to have his time alone with God. His desire was not only that his kids and grandkids would know Jesus as their Savior and follow Him, but also those he came in contact with would know Jesus.

Paul’s parents and his sister, Ruth Cripe, preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife, Grace; his children, Jon (Kim) Becker of Indianapolis, IN, Janelle Becker of Puebla, Mexico, and Johanna (Jake) Starr of Bismarck, IL; his grandchildren Caleb and Daniel Becker, Ezra, Levi, and Titus Starr; his siblings Elaine Page, Jim (Diana) Becker, and Mary (Keith) McDonald along with many nieces and nephews.

A family graveside service will be held on Thursday. Friday, August 30, a Celebration of Life service will be held at First Baptist Church, 518 5th Street, Covington, IN, at 11 am (Eastern Standard Time). When Paul lived in Mexico, he enjoyed helping out at Campamento El Oasis de Agua Viva. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be given to Avant Ministries online: avantministries.org/give or by mail: 10000 North Oak Trafficway, Kansas City, MO, 64155 designated to “Mexico - Camp Oasis Van - Project  72017”.