John Walter Beckley

Beckley, John W, age 92, of Centerville, Ohio, went to be with his Lord and Savior on June 21, 2015. John was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years Marguerite (Harrison) Beckley, parents Paul and Mabel Beckley, brothers Harold, Lowell, Jim, and Herb, and infant sister Anna Frances. Also preceding him in death were brother-in-law and sister-in-law Kenneth and Marjorie Lang and son-in-law Alan McKelvey. John is survived by daughter Linda McKelvey (of Kettering), son David (Marilou) Beckley (of Dayton), and six grandchildren: Jennifer (Joshua) Dufford, Jonathan Beckley, Tara Beckley, David McKelvey, Cody Lawyer, and Kayla Lawyer. John was born on June 3, 1923, in Wayne County, WV, where he graduated from Buffalo High School. He also graduated from The Ohio State University with bachelor’s degrees in business and dental technology. He served as a B-24 flight engineer in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II. He retired from the Patterson Dental company in 1987 after nearly 40 years of service. John was a faithful attendee of Bethany Church of Christ and a longtime member of the Experimental Aircraft Association. He enjoyed do-it-yourself projects, was an avid golfer and loved sharing these hobbies with his family and friends. John will be remembered for his faith in God, his sense of humor and his courageous spirit. Friends and family are invited to a visitation on Friday, June 26, from 9:00-11:00 AM at Bethany Church of Christ, (2755 E. Stroop Road, Kettering, OH 45440) with a memorial service to follow, officiated by Minister Damon Reid. John will be laid to rest at the Miami Valley Memory Gardens. Memorial donations can be made to Bethany Church of Christ (2755 E. Stroop Road, Kettering, OH 45440). TOBIAS FUNERAL HOME-FAR HILLS CHAPEL in care of arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to www.tobiasfuneralhomecom,