Major General, retired, John D. Becker completed his Fini-Flight on September 18, 2021, and is at peace for eternity. He was a man of integrity, who loved God, his family, friends, and his country.

John was born in Kenton, Ohio on October 22, 1948, and graduated from Marysville, Ohio in 1966. He married his wife of 52 years on September 13, 1969 and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture (Agronomy) from the Ohio State University and was commissioned as a distinguished military graduate from ROTC to Second Lieutenant in the US Air Force on June 3, 1970. He completed his Master of Science degree in Business Administration at the University of Nebraska in 1978.

He attended Pilot Training at Reese AFB in Lubbock, Texas and graduated in August 1971. His career expanded 33 years and included the following assignments: Wiesbaden Air Base, West Germany (2 assignments); Squadron Officer School at Maxwell AFB, Ala.; Photo Interpreters School at Lowry AFB, Colo.; Offutt AFB, Neb.;  Scott AFB, Ill. (11 assignments); Armed Forces Staff College, Norfolk, Va.; Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.;  Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.; Travis AFB, Calif. (3 assignments); MacDill AFB, Fla. (2 assignments);  US Combined Forces Command, Yongsan, South Korea; McGuire AFB, N.J.  General Becker finished his military career as the Commander of the 15 ^th Air Force at Travis AFB, Calif. (Jimmy Doolittle, of WWII was the first commander of 15 ^th Air Force).

His decorations include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Air Medal and Air Force Commendation Medal.

Upon retiring from the USAF on September 29, 2003, at Travis AFB, John worked for Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), Northrup Grumman, and was a consultant for other firms serving Scott AFB.

While the USAF constituted a large part of his life, he was an active member of the First United Methodist Church, the Airlift Tanker Association, and participated in local community activities.

His greatest joys in life were his wife, children, and four grandchildren. He enjoyed sharing his love of the outdoors and nature through gardening, hunting, fishing, snow skiing, cycling, hiking, and woodworking.  He was an avid Ohio State Buckeye fan and tried to catch every game.  In 2004, John and Jeanne built their beloved "Tree House" which was a sanctuary for family and friends from around the world.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Roy and Jane, nee Smith, Becker and his two sisters, Susan Becker and Nancy, nee Becker, Swartzel.

John is survived by his wife, Jeanne, nee Graves, Becker of O'Fallon, Ill., a daughter, Jodi Becker Kinner, and her husband, Duane, and their two children, Joshua Lee and Danielle Jonna of West Jordan, Utah; a daughter, Jami Lyn Atkinson, and her husband Kevin, and their two children, Emma Lauren and Seth Kameron of Debary, Fla. He is survived by his honorary daughter, Arista Haas of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; brother-in-law, John Swartzel (Carol) of Waynesville, Ohio; sister-in-law Charlotte Graves of Clarksville, Tenn., brother-in-law Jim Graves (Debby) of Sarasota, Fla.; sister-in-law Joanne Graves Miles (Larry), of Deltona, Fla.; and sister-in-law Beth Graves of Evergreen, Colo. He is also survived by cherished Uncle Cleon Krill, cousins, nieces, nephews, and honorary grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers and other gifts, the family requests memorial donations be given to either O'Fallon First United Methodist Church, 504 E. Hwy 50, O'Fallon, IL 62269; Division of Oncology Head and Neck Research for Dr. Douglas Adkins, 660 S. Euclid, Campus Box 8007-29 St. Louis, MO 63110 Attn: Grant Lawrence; or to The BJC Foundation for Hospice, attn. Evelyn's House, PO Box 790369, St. Louis, MO 63179, to whom the family is truly grateful.

Visitation: The family will receive friends from 4-8 p.m., Friday, October 1, 2021 at Wolfersberger Funeral Home, 102 W. Washington St., O'Fallon, Ill.

Funeral: A Celebration of Life Service, to include military honors, will begin at 11:00 a.m., on Saturday, October 2, 2021 at O'Fallon First United Methodist Church, 504 E. Highway 50, O'Fallon, Ill., with Pastor Don Long officiating. Prior to the service, beginning at 10:00 a.m., the family will have a time of visitation.  Interment will be later at Lithopolis Cemetery, in Canal Winchester, Ohio. Live-streaming is available.