William Burke Becherer

William Burke Becherer, 95, of Poland, passed away Thursday evening, February 15, 2018 at his residence.

Mr. Becherer was born August 8, 1922 in Marion, Ohio a son of Raymond and Evelyn Burke Becherer.

He graduated from Butler, Pennsylvania High School and worked in manufacturing and retail in Elyria, Ohio until being drafted into the Army. He received his basic training in Virginia with Field Artillery units. When shipped overseas, he was transferred to an anti-aircraft unit of the 1st Infantry Division. During World War II he served in combat in Africa, the Sicily landing, the D-Day invasion landing at Omaha Beach, and battles through France, Luxembourg, Belgium, Germany and Czechoslovakia.

After his discharge, he attended Kent State University. He was a member and president of Delta Upsilon Fraternity when it became affiliated with the national organization becoming the first national fraternity at the University. He also was a member of Kappa Mu Kappa. Graduating in 1949, he taught at Bristol High School in Trumbull County for one year.

While at Kent State, he met Mary Jane Averill of Bath, Ohio. They married August 19, 1950 and moved to Cleveland where Mr. Becherer became affiliated with the Modernfold Corporation, later moving to Youngstown as their representative. In 1957 he established his own company, W.B. Becherer, Inc.

Mr. Becherer is a former lector and continued to be an active member of Holy Family Church of Poland. An active member of the community, Mr. Becherer volunteered for many organizations including Toastmasters, Boy Scouts, and the Chesterton Club. A 57 year member and past president of the Boardman Kiwanis, Mr. Becherer was instrumental to the success of the annual rose sale, fundraising events, and the Christmas bell ringing for the Salvation Army.

Though never fully retired, Mr. Becherer also enjoyed travels with family and friends including the yearly annual vacations to Cape Cod and annual ski trips.

His family includes his wife of 67 years, Mary Jane; three daughters, Christine (Michael) Yost of Columbus, Susan (Scott) Friend of Lexington, KY, and Kathryn (John) Mason of Columbus; three sons, William Jr. (Debbie) Becherer, Bruce (Diane) Becherer, both of Poland and Eric Becherer also of Columbus; six granddaughters, Averill (John) Harrison, Sarah (Dennis) Gilligan, Kate Becherer, Elizabeth Becherer, and Jane and Sarah Mason; six grandsons, Ryan Yost, Marc (Meghan) Friend, Matthew (Brittni) Friend, Samuel Becherer, and William and Jack Mason; five great-grandchildren, Vera and Burke Harrison, Molly and Ellie Friend and Evelyn Gilligan; one sister, Rita Green of Butler, Pennsylvania; and a brother, the Reverend James R. Becherer of Sheffield Lake, Ohio.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Becherer was preceded in death by two sisters, Jean McClancy and Marylin Platis.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, 11:00 AM at Holy Family Church with Msgr. William Connell officiating. Interment will follow at Poland Riverside Cemetery.

Friends will be received Sunday from 12:00 PM until 3:00 PM at the Cunningham-Becker Funeral Home, Poland where the Kiwanis will conduct a brief Prayer service at 12:00 noon.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Holy Family Church for the Holy Family School Tuition Scholarships, 2729 Center Road, Poland, OH 44514 or to Boardman Kiwanis, P.O. Box 3253, Boardman, OH 44513.