MAYTOWN — Urban L. Becker, 83, of Maytown, died Friday, June 29, 2018.

He was born Dec. 17, 1934, in Sublette, the son of Jacob and Helen (Henkel) Becker

He was a lifelong farmer in the Maytown area. He was also an Extension Advisor, and taught school in the Maytown, Sublette, and Amboy areas for 13 years.

He was a lifelong member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Maytown, he was May Township Supervisor, and had also served on the boards of the Sublette Elevator and Van Orin Co-Op.

Urban was a great conversationalist and never met a stranger. He was an avid reader of local newspapers and publications on world news. He took great pleasure in engaging with anyone sitting near him and soon found a connection that allowed them to converse on a range of topics. Family was also very important to him. He was passionate in relaying the genealogical heritage of the extended family over several generations and our connection to the community as a whole. He was a walking library of area history that will be deeply missed.

Urban married Helen Ann Bushman on June 22, 1957 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Amboy.  She preceded him in death Oct. 1, 2016.

He was also preceded in death by two brothers, Ray and Eugene Becker, and his daughter-in-law, Sharon Becker.

Urban is survived by seven children, Debra (Al) Pendleton, of Peoria, Tony (Beth) Becker, Mark (Kim) Becker, Larry (Marge) Becker, and Steve (Karen) Becker, all of Amboy, Don Becker, of Byron, and Susan (Mark) Schuemann, of Marion, Iowa; 23 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Sr. Rosemary Becker OSB, of Rock Island, and Anita Dunn, of Walnut.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m., on Friday July 6, 2018 at St Patrick Catholic Church in Maytown with the Rev. Randy Fronek officiating. Burial will follow in St. Patrick Cemetery in Maytown. Visitation will be from 3 – 8 p.m., on Thursday, July 5, with the Rosary recited at 2:30 p.m. in the church and also on Friday from 10 - 10:45 a.m. in the church. 

A memorial has been established. Funeral arrangements by Mihm-Jones Funeral Home in Amboy. Condolences may be sent online at www.thejonesfh.com.