BOURBON — David Becknell was born to loving parents Milo Dale and Helen Plummer Becknell on April 29, 1933, in Plymouth. Dave and his older brother, Bill, grew up on the family farm in Bourbon, where three generations of Becknells lived, loved and worked. Always athletic, he was a runner and basketball player for the Bourbon Comets. He also played baritone in the school band. One of his schoolmates since elementary school was Pauline Patterson. The two were sweethearts since the ninth grade and married after high school. He attended barber school in Indianapolis, and he paid for his schooling and purchased the shop by cutting hair for $1 a cut. This was his first of many successful businesses, which included a string of men’s and women's salons, boutiques and real estate ventures in Bourbon, Warsaw, Plymouth, Columbia City and Fort Wayne. While always proud of his success, he did it with his wife and business partner, Pauline. As a team, they built their entrepreneurial success together. Family was everything, and together Dave and Pauline raised three children — Luke, Ben and Corinne. He loved traveling, and they took many trips with their family, including skiing in the Rocky Mountains, camping, and spending time in the Caribbean, England and Texas. He did not know a stranger. He was a faithful friend to his hometown, church, RV and YMCA families. He served as master of the Bourbon Masonic Lodge and was a member of the Mizpah Shriners and First United Methodist Church in Bourbon. He loved heading the Bourbon Merchants Halloween Festival. He will be missed but remembered with a smile and warm heart by those that knew and loved him. Those who are left to cherish his memory are Pauline Becknell, his wife of 63 years; brother, Bill Becknell, and wife Gwen; Luke Becknell and wife Michelle; and Corinne Becknell Lucas and husband Martin; as well as grandchildren: Dustan Bradley (Beth Campbell), Brian Becknell (spouse Nikie), Elisabete Silotto (spouse TJ) and Craig Becknell (spouse Valerie); and seven beautiful great-grandchildren: Bailey, Noah, Owen, Bruno, Desmond, Ethan and newest baby arriving in September. Many nieces and nephews also share in the loss of Uncle Dave. Those preceding him in death and who welcomed him in heaven are his parents, son Patrick Benton and daughter-in-law Deb Becknell. A memorial and celebration of Dave's life will be at First United Methodist Church in Bourbon on April 29. ***** Memorials to Shriners Hospitals for Children or First United Methodist Church, Bourbon.
