Jean Martine Becker, of New Castle, Indiana, passed away peacefully on January 21, 2020. Jean had celebrated her 100th birthday last July with close family and friends. Born to Charles and Lora Myers on July 9, 1919, Jean was raised by her late grandparents, Alonzo and Edna Myers.
Jean graduated from New Castle High School in 1938 and was a member of the National Honor Society, Secretary of Tri-Hi Club, and Chairman of the Class History Committee. Jean received multiple awards from the Henry County 4H Club and at the Indiana State Fair. She also was nominated to be in the Sunshine Society in 1956 as an “ideal lady” who inspired younger girls as they grew into adulthood. In addition, Jean was a member of the New Castle-Henry County Sesquicentennial Belles in 1972, which celebrated the 150th anniversary of the town.
Jean married Albert Becker on September 4, 1942. They were stationed in St. Joseph, Missouri from 1941 to 1946, where Albert served as a U.S. Army Air Force flight instructor during World War II. In 1944, they had their only daughter, Barbara, whom Jean adored. The mother-daughter pair were very close.
When Jean, Albert, and Barbara moved back to New Castle, they opened several Becker Bros. grocery stores with Albert’s brother, Stanley. Jean did the accounting for Becker Bros. and regularly greeted customers with a friendly smile. Jean and Albert were pillars of the New Castle community and often gave back to help those in need. They also were active members of the First United Methodist Church.
Affectionately called “Blue Jean” by her close friends for her blue eyes, Jean had a bright spirit and contagious laugh. Jean and Albert enjoyed their retirement golfing at Westwood Country Club, socializing, dancing, playing bridge, spending winters in Florida, and attending the Master’s Golf Tournament annually. Neighbors often would find Jean on long walks with their Yorkshire terrier.
Jean loved spending time with her family and loved animals and children. She adoringly (and regularly) spoiled her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and was always ready with a sweet or small toy to brighten their day. She also loved her Yorkies and adopted many stray dogs that Barbara would bring home as a young girl. Jean’s kind heart will be dearly missed.
In addition to her daughter, Barbara (Becker) McLaughlin of Greenwood, IN, Jean is survived by her four grandchildren and their spouses: Jeff McLaughlin (Carmel, IN), Scott McLaughlin and Gina Shockley (Carmel, IN), Molly (McLaughlin) Ott and Jon Ott (Alamo, CA), Mark McLaughlin and Monica McLaughlin (Greenwood, IN); along with six great-grandchildren: Madeline Ott, Everett Ott, Cole McLaughlin, Eliana McLaughlin, Garrett McLaughlin, and Grace McLaughlin. Jean is predeceased by her brother, Charles Robert Myers, and her husband, Albert Becker, along with her parents, Lora and Charles Myers, and grandparents, Alonzo and Edna Myers.
Services will be at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 28, 2020 at Hinsey-Brown Funeral Service in New Castle with Rev. Holly Hardsaw officiating. Burial will follow at South Mound Cemetery-West Lawn Addition. Visitation will be from 12:00 - 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home. You may express condolences or share a memory of Jean at
www.hinsey-brown.com
.
Memorial donations in honor of Jean can be made to the Humane Society
https://www.humanesociety.org/how-you-can-help
or the Alzheimer’s Association
https://www.alz.org/