Nelson J. Becker

Nelson Jaeger Becker, 76, sailed into heaven on April 7, 2017, in Naples, Florida.

Nelson was born September 16, 1940, the son of Edwin H. and Mary Lewis (Nelson) Becker in Logansport.

On December 28, 1984, at First United Methodist Church of Logansport, Indiana, he married Dixie (Logan) Becker, who survives in Logansport.

Nelson was a 1958 graduate of Logansport High School and received his Bachelor of Business Administration from Tulane University in 1962, and his Doctor of Jurisprudence in 1964 from Tulane University Law School.  He was a 1958 graduate of the Culver Summer Naval School and member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity.

He served in the United States Air Force from 1965 to 1968 as a JAG officer, attaining the rank of captain.

Nelson’s passion in life was the law, the legislative process, service, and politics.  He practiced law   in   Logansport   from   1968   to   the   date   of   his   death.     He   served  six  terms   as   State Representative of Cass and Carroll Counties from 1972 to 1984.  He was Majority Whip of Indiana House of Representatives from 1977 to 1980 and was Speaker Pro Tempore of Indiana House of Representatives from 1980 to 1984.  He was an accomplished lobbyist from 1984-2011.  He was an honored recipient of Indiana’s highest civilian award – The Sagamore of the Wabash.

He was a former member of the Board of Directors of Logansport Savings Bank and a former member of the Board of Directors of First National Bank of Logansport.  He was Past President of the Cass County YMCA Board of Directors and United Fund Board of Directors and current member of First United Methodist Church, Elks and American Legion.   He was a participant in the National Security Forum of the U.S. War College in 1976. 

Nelson loved Lake Maxinkuckee where he spent many summers with his family, sailing, boating and watching the sunsets.  He was an active member in the Maxinkuckee Yacht Club and served as its commodore in 1979.

Nelson dearly loved his wife, brother and sister, stepbrother and stepsisters, children, grandchildren, and many close nieces and nephews.  He was a dedicated family man, wonderful husband, father and grandfather and was usually the life of any gathering.  He just loved to be around people, especially his friends and family.

Surviving are his wife Dixie, Logansport; sons, Edwin Bray (Leyla) Becker of Oak Hill, Virginia; Nelson Merritt (Jill) Becker of Zionsville; Theodore Lewis (Karen) Becker of Simpsonville, South Carolina; Michael Sean (Deanna) Nicholas of Logansport, and Seth Andrew (Monica) Nicholas of Indianapolis. 

Also, grandchildren Grace Nazli, Edwin Austin, Andrew Merritt, William Nelson, Anne Elyse, Tyler Lewis, Emily Kathryn, Julia Bray, Coy Michael, Bryce Logan, Evvie Faith, Corinne Ava, Owen Jaeger, Corbin Roe and Lila Katherine.

His sister, Mary Anna (Dick) Swennumson; sister-in-law, Judith F. Becker; stepsisters, Patricia Cleveland, Linda Flannery and Margaret Ann Rothman; stepbrother, Loyal (Margaret) Wilson; and many special nieces and nephews, also survive.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Edwin H. and Mary Lewis Becker; brother E. Allen Becker; stepmother, Margaret Ann (Frushour Wilson) Becker and grandson, Cameron Bray Becker.

A funeral service and celebration of Nelson’s life will be at 11:00 a.m., on Wednesday, April 19, 2017, at First United Methodist Church, Logansport, with Pastor Don Cline officiating.

Visitation will be from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 18, at Kroeger Funeral Home, Logansport, and also from 10:00 until 11:00 a.m., on Wednesday, at the church.

Interment will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery, with the Cass County Honor Guard and uniformed members of the United States Air Force providing military honors.

In lieu of flowers, please consider giving to one of the following in Nelson’s name:  First United Methodist Church, 800 East Broadway, Logansport, IN 46947; Cass County Family Y, 905 East Broadway, Logansport, IN 46947, or Cass County Community Foundation, P. O. Box 441, Logansport, IN 46947.