John D. Beck Sr.

Steadfast, faithful, determined, studious, loyal, and adherent are just a few words that come to mind when describing Elder Beck.

Rev. John D. Beck, Sr., age 85, of New Castle, passed away unexpectedly Friday, February 3, 2023 due to injuries sustained in an automobile accident. He was born June 25, 1937 in Bloomington, IN, a son of the late Rev. Walter C. and Marsetta F. (Pruitt) Beck.

A veteran of the U.S. Navy, he served on the USS Los Angeles Heavy Cruiser CA 135 during the end of the Korean Conflict. Due to the premature death of his parents, he moved to Indianapolis to live with his uncle and aunt, Virgil and Myrtle Pruitt. As a young man in Indianapolis, he often attended Christ Temple with his uncle, where he really began to seek God. He received the gift of the Holy Ghost on November 2, 1955 at a revival service at Christian Tabernacle at 28th and Sherman Drive. From that day forward until his last day on earth, he maintained a deep love and respect for Christian Tabernacle and his pastor, Elder Paul Jordan. He constantly reminisced his memories of his experiences there, so much that anyone around him very long could repeat them in detail.

He and his wife began a home missions church in Everett, WA in the late 1960’s, where he pastored for three years, and then took pastorate of First Apostolic Church in New Castle on January 10, 1973. He and Sister Beck faithfully served First Apostolic for the next 44 years, retiring on January 10, 2017, when he passed the mantle to Pastor Jeff Emmitt, a young minister from Christian Tabernacle.

He loved a lot of things, but his greatest love was the Apostolic gospel. His passion was biblical studies, and while in his 70’s, he earned a doctorate degree in Bible Theology from Calvary Midwest College.

He leaves to cherish his memory, a son, Anthony Ross “Tony” Beck of Martinsville; two granddaughters, April (Cory) West of Indianapolis, and Andrea (Jeff) Denney of Mooreland; two grandsons, Anthony Ross Beck II and Aaron Beck, both of Martinsville; four great grandchildren, Kaylyn Denney and Kendra Denney, both of Mooreland, Ramsey and Riley Beck, both of Martinsville, and a step great-grandson, Blake West of Burgin, KY; two sisters, Sarah Jenkins of McLeansville, NC, and Rachel Angotti of Beverly Shores, IN; a brother, Gene Campbell of Bloomington; sister in laws, Barbara Angotti and Beverlie Beck; many nieces and nephews, including Linda Thompson, Pam Angotti, Cheryl Reed; a nephew, Michael Jenkins, Shawn (Beck) Cabahug, Dawn (Beck) Chapla, Jonathan Beck, Glenna (Beck) Dezarn, and a host of ministering friends across the globe and many church members who loved him dearly.

Nearly a year ago, he lost the love of his life, Wanda May (Coffey) Beck, with whom he shared 64 years of marriage. He was also preceded in death by his son, John D. “Dan” Beck Jr. In 2021; two brothers, Joe Angotti and Jim Beck.

Services will be at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, February 11, 2023 at First Apostolic Church in New Castle with Pastor Kent Jordan and Pastor Jeff Emmitt officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. Summit Cemetery. Visitation will be from 3-8 p.m., Friday, February 10, 2023 at the church. Memorial contributions may be given to the First Apostolic Church, 418 New York Ave., New Castle, IN 47362. Condolence and memories of Rev. Beck may be shared at www.Hinsey-brown.com .