Obituary of Wayne R. Becker

Wayland – Wayne R. Becker, 90 years of age, passed away early Wednesday evening November 23, 2016 at his home. Wayne was born February 19, 1926 in Wayland the son of Karl and Arlie (Shaver) Becker. He grew up in Wayland and has remained a resident of the area his entire life. Upon graduating from Wayland School, Wayne served his country during World War II in the United States Marine Corps. Subsequent to returning from duty, Wayne worked for a year at the D L & W Railroad at Groveland Station as a billing clerk. He also at this time drove loads of material in a semi-truck to Buffalo. On January 14, 1948, Wayne and Frances Bonadonna were married and together they celebrated over 63 years of marriage prior to Frances passing away in March of 2011. His employment as a butcher began as he worked at his father-in-law’s butcher shop for 18 years. Wayne then bought a farm on Schrader Road and began a long career farming the land, raising cows, pigs and chickens. In 1966 he built the first of two chicken houses the length of a football field. He supplied many area businesses with eggs for many years. In addition to farming, Wayne was a butcher for all these years. In 1995 Wayne and his son Ron opened a meat shop and began cutting meat again. Until last spring, Wayne would travel up to the farm and meat shop nearly every single day! Wayne loved to harness race as well. For nearly 20 years he would travel around to the race tracks to take part in racing. He also joined the Wayland Hook and Ladder Company on April 7, 1948 and once that disbanded, he joined the Wayland Hose Company in 1956. Wayne was the chief of the company from 1964-1966. He was also a communicant of St. Joseph’s Church in Wayland. Wayne will be missed by all his family and friends throughout the community. Wayne was pre-deceased by his parents Karl and Arlie Becker; his wife, Frances Becker; his grandson, Jason Becker and his brother and sister-in-law Burton and Germaine Becker. He is survived by his children, Ronald C. (Kathleen) Becker of Wayland, Bonnie (Jerry) Miles of Cape Coral, Fla and Tonya (Art) Covert of Wayland; his grandchildren, Ronald W. Becker, Shannon Becker, Kelly Becker-Murray, Amy (Russell) Rosenboom, Melissa (Matt) Jensen, Chad (Elisha) Conrad, Brad Conrad (Denise Willoth-Lennox), Kyle Covert (Marina Rosario) and Kali Covert; his great-grandchildren, Darren, Tyler, Claire, Finn, Josh, Emma, Kinsley, Brayden and Gavin; his sister, Ruth (Walter) Kloss of Akron, NY; along with many nieces and nephews. Wayne’s family and friends may call Friday (today) from 4-7pm at the St. George-Stanton Funeral Home, 109 West Naples St., Wayland. A family prayer service will take place at 10:15 Saturday at the funeral home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday at 11am at St. Joseph’s Church, 206 Fremont St., Wayland. Committal prayers, military honors and internment will take place immediately following at Old St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Wayland. Memorial contributions in Wayne R. Becker’s memory may be made to Meals on Wheels, 144 Cedar St, Corning, NY 14830 or to the Vincent House, 310 Second Ave., Wayland, NY 14572.