Raymond Becher, Jr.

Raymond Becher, Jr., 85, of Decatur passed away Thursday, November 26, 2020, at Adams Memorial Hospital in Decatur after an extended illness and of natural causes. He was born April 18, 1935, in Adams County to Raymond O. and Clara (Fogle) Becher. He was married November 27, 1958, at the Zion United Church of Christ in Decatur to Naomi R. Kirchhofer.
He was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church in Decatur. He also was active in the Dairy Shrine Club (life member), Indiana Holstein Association (life member) along with being the District IV Holstein Club past president, secretary and treasurer along with serving on the Adams County Dairy Herd Improvement Association Board. Volunteering his time to help youth interested in farming, he was active in the Adams County 4-H program where he served on the Calf Club and the 4-H Extension Board.
He was a 1954 graduate of Adams Central High School. He was a lifelong grain and dairy farmer in Adams County, operating Ray-Na Holstein Farm. He had a passion and zeal for dairy farming and was nationally known for breeding Holstein cattle. His knowledge of dairy farming resulted in his service on the Senator’s Farm Advisory Committee. In 1978, he bred and exhibited the All American and Reserve All American three year Holstein cows. He was the first Holstein breeder to be inducted into the Purdue Hall of Fame. He was the recipient of the Master Breeder Award in Indiana. He also won the Indiana Master Farmer Award, Dairy Family of the Year and Progressive Breeder’s Award, which he won 15 times (highest in nation for a homebred herd).
He is survived by his wife of Decatur; four daughters, Amy Jo (Gregory) Fumarolo of Fort Wayne; Audrey A. (Cameron) Erekson of Bristol; and Angela S. (David) Brite; and April L. (Jerome) Isch, both of Decatur; nine grandchildren, Shawn Hany; Erin (Derrick) Kovell; Ryan Hany; Spencer (Brittany) Erekson; Reid (Anisha) Erekson; Emily and Noah Brite;Anna and Aidan Isch; two great-grandchildren, Reagan and Simon Erekson; and one on the way; and step-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters and their spouses, Fonteen (Lester) Hains; Catherine (Paul) Longsworth; and Marjorie (Robert) Lobsiger; and brother, Norman (Arlene) Becher.
Private funeral services for the immediate family will be held at Zion Lutheran Church in Decatur. Officiating will be Pastor James Voorman. Burial will be at Decatur Cemetery. For those wishing to view the service at Zion, it will be available from the church’s website at www.ziondecatur.com or the church YouTube page at Zion Lutheran Decatur. It should be available by Sunday evening.
Memorials may be made to Zion Lutheran Church or Adams County 4-H and may be sent to the Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home, Decatur office.
Arrangements provided by Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home in Decatur. To sign the online guestbook, visit www.zwickjahn.com.