Rev. Anthony J. Becker, 93, of Franklin Grove, died Thursday, January 15, 2015, at the Franklin Grove Health Care Center. He was born January 5, 1922, in May Township, Lee County IL, the son of Antone and Margaret (Meister) Becker. Father Tony began his seminary studies at age 13, in Columbus, Ohio, at Josephinum Pontifical College. He received his BA in Philosophy in 1943, and was ordained June 1, 1947. He remained at the college and taught Latin, Greek, Spanish and German for 11 years. In 1950, he was awarded an MA in classical languages from Ohio State University. In 1958, Fr. Becker began work towards a doctorate at Loyola University in Chicago, and graduated in 1960, with a PhD in Clinical Psychology and Education. After receiving his doctorate he was appointed by the bishop as the first principal/ superintendent of Boylan Central Catholic High School in Rockford, IL. In 1963, he was appointed Chaplain, Professor and Director of Psychological Services at St. Dominic College at St. Charles, a new college under the auspices of the Adrian Dominican Sisters. He remained there for 4 years before accepting a pastorate at St. Mary Church in Elgin IL, where he served until 1973. For the next three years he was in private practice in clinical psychology. Returning to the pastorate, Father Becker served St. Mary Church in Oregon, IL, from 1976 to 1984. That year, he completed a full circle and returned to his childhood home of Amboy and remained as pastor at St. Patrick Church in Amboy, IL, until his retirement in 1992. Fr. Becker is the author of two books. He was a registered clinical psychologist in Illinois. Also, one of his fields of expertise is graphology, the art and science of analyzing handwriting. He's worked in the field for 29 years and in 1991, was chosen for the World's Who's Who in Graphology recognizing him as one of 200 experts in this field throughout the world.

He was preceded in death by his parents; 3 sisters, Mary Margaret, Frances and Kathleen; 1 brother, Walter. Survivors include 1 sister, Hilda Walzer of Mendota; and several nieces and nephews.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, January 20, 2015, beginning at 11 a.m. in St. Patrick Catholic Church in Amboy, with the Most Rev. Bishop David Malloy, officiating. Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, January 20, 2015, in the church.

Burial of cremains will be at a later date in St. Patrick Cemetery in Amboy. A memorial has been established to Josephinum Pontifical College in Columbus, Ohio.

Published in the Rockford Register Star January 17-18, 2015