Harold Christoph Beckman, 91, died July 12, 2010, at his home in Phillipsburg.
He was born July 16, 1918, in Phillips County, the son of Arthur John and Margaret C. (Fritsch) Beckman,
He received Holy Baptism on August 18, 1918, and was confirmed in the Lutheran faith on May 15, 1932, at the Zion Lutheran Church, Belmont Township.
He attended grade school at the Silver Light Rural School District No. 133 and graduated from Phillipsburg High School with the class of 1935.
In 1942, he entered the U.S. Army Air Corps and graduated from flight school in March 1944. He was sent to Naples, Italy, and was stationed on the Island of Corsica where he flew B-25s with a six-man crew. While stationed there, Harold and his crew flew 35 missions over France, Northern Italy and Czechoslovakia.
When the war ended, Harold and his crew flew their plane back to the states. He received several decorations during the war including the Distinguished Flying Cross. He was then stationed in Japan as a statistical control officer just down the street from General McArthur’s headquarters and across the street from the Emperor’s Palace. He was honorably discharged as a captain in August 1947.
He was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church. He served as chairman of the building committee in 1965, was a council member and Sunday School superintendent. He also served on the Speed school board, was a life member of the V.F.W. and active in the Farm Bureau for many years.
On Nov. 16, 1947, he married Wilma Grau at the Zion Lutheran Church, Phillipsburg. She survives.
The couple farmed on the family farm for 35 years before moving to Phillipsburg in June 1982.
Other survivors include: two sons, Paul, and wife, Linda, McPherson, and John, and wife, Thea, Scott City; one daughter, Susan Ramage, and husband, Mike, Salina; one brother, Emil, Lincoln, Nebr.; nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one infant daughter, Margaret, and his sister, Esther Merklein.
Funeral service will be Fri., July 16, 10:30 a.m., at Zion Lutheran Church, Phillipsburg.
Memorials may be sent to the church or hospice services in care of Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, 1115 2nd Street, Box 563, Phillipsburg, Ks. 67661.
E-condolences may be given at www.olliffboeve.com.