BECKER – Ralph Charles, 88, of New Germany, passed away peacefully March 23, 2024 at home, surrounded by his loving family.  Born July 8, 1935 in St. Boniface, son of the late Charles and Cecilia (Kruise) Becker.  Last surviving member of his immediate family, he is preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Irene Margaret (Smith) Becker; daughter Mary Jo Riner, granddaughters: Emily Becker and Erin Riner;  brothers: Paul, Clarence, Walt and William; and sisters Mary Callahan, and Hilda Dietrick.  Survived by children:  Ralph “Ted” (Faye) Becker;  Richard “Rick”; Raymond (Sharon); son-in-law, David Riner;  daughters: Colleen (Paul) Driscoll; Rosanne (Rick) Keiper; and sons: Matthew; John (Denise); and Dan Becker.  Also 23 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.   Ralph was for many decades the owner/operator of Becker Machine Company.  He had also worked as a machinist at BethEnergy Mine #33, Ebensburg and was a member of UMWA.   He loved collecting tractors, attending antique equipment shows and auctions, and was a talented man who loved fixing, restoring, and dealing equipment, and finding bargains along the way.  He loved enjoying time with family and missed his beloved Irene so very much since her passing.  Ralph was a member of Holy Name Roman Catholic Church, Ebensburg.

Friends will be received from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday at the Askew-Houser Funeral Homes, Inc., Ebensburg, where a vigil prayer service will be held.  Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday at Holy Name Church, the Rev. Brian Warchola and Msgr. Michael Becker, celebrants.  Interment at St. Mary’s Cemetery, New Germany.    In lieu of flowers, contributions in Ralphs memory may be made to the Colorectal Cancer Alliance www.colorectalcancer.org/donate or to the Alzheimer’s Association  www.alz.org/site/donate

Condolences to the family may be left at  www.askew-houser.com