Obituary of Wendelin Joseph Becker

Wendelin Joseph Becker of Manalapan died peacefully May 5, 2018 at home after a courageous battle with cancer. Wendel was born in Philadelphia on Feb. 17, 1930 and moved to Manalapan in 1968. He was extremely active in St. Thomas More Roman R.C. Church parish, serving as a trustee. He was a Past Grand Knight of Knights of Columbus Council No. 5903, Englishtown and Past Faithful Navigator of Msgr. Kivelitz General Assembly, 4th Degree Knights of Columbus. Wendel had a love for baseball that lasted his entire life. He coached , umpired and played baseball for his LOMA team of Fairmont Park in Philadelphia. He coached and umpired in Manalapan Little League, the former Ed Carleton and Jersey Shore baseball leagues as well as a coach for the Manalapan Braves High School team. Wendel’s community activism was recognized by his being named Man of the Year twice. He was inducted into the Manalapan High School Hall of Fame in 2000. The snack stand, at the football stadium, was named in his honor to commemorate being a founding member of the Manalapan High Booster Club and the 40 years he spent on the Executive Board. He was also inducted into the inaugural class of the Manalapan Township Recreation Hall of Fame in 1979. Wendel was predeceased by two sons, Wendelin, Jr. and Richard Becker. He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Dolores; two sons, Paul and former wife Bette, and Peter and wife JoAnn; two daughters, Dolores and her husband Thomas Farese, and Liz and her husband Gary Higley; and daughter-in-law LuAnn Becker. He is also survived by 16 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. Wendel’s visitation will be held Friday, May 11 at St. Thomas More Church, 186 Gordons Corner Road, Manalapan from 3-8pm. The Funeral Liturgy will be held on Saturday, May 12 at St. Thomas More Church at 10am. Interment will follow at Old Tennent Cemetery, Manalapan. In lieu of flowers a donation to the Manalapan High School Scholarship Fund, 20 Church Lane, Manalapan, NJ 07726 for a perpetual scholarship to be awarded in his and his sons honor would be appreciated.