Ken Beck, 87, St. Joseph, Missouri, passed away Wednesday, February 7, 2024 at his home surrounded by family.
He was born September 30, 1936 in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania. He grew up in Lock Haven, then proudly served his country in the U.S. Army, based in Tokyo, Japan.
Between being in the military and attending the Milwaukee School of Broadcasting, Ken liked to say that he graduated from the “school of hard knocks.” A voracious reader, he was self-taught on many subjects and was a “news hawk.”
Ken married Ruth Kornblum on December 10, 1960. To this union three children were born. Ruth and Ken later divorced. On February 14, 1980, Ken married Angela Ward, and two more children completed his family. Angie survives of the home.
Ken’s career started out in Mexico, Missouri at KXEO Radio, then the family moved to Maryville, Missouri, where he worked at KNIM. When KFEQ-TV hired Ken in advertising sales, the family moved to St. Joseph, where he spent the rest of his life.
He was passionate about serving his community. He held membership and leadership positions in many organizations: the Lions Club for 56 years; Missouri Lions Leadership Committee; Toastmasters International, Advanced Toastmaster Accomplished-Bronze; Northwest Missouri Republican Club; Missouri Air Commission; Buchanan County Extension Service; St. Joseph Advertising Foundation; St. Joseph Traffic Commission; St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce; St. Joseph Public Library Board; Board of Trustees for River Bluffs Regional Library; 12th Ward Committeeman; Smart Growth Committee; City of St. Jospeh Planning & Zoning Adjustment Board; City of St. Joseph Planning & Zoning Board; St. Joseph Regional Port Authority Board; and the Travel & Tourism Board. He also was a member of the St. Joseph City Council from 2013-2017.
Ken’s faith in God was central to his life. He was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church.
He also cherished his family, and had coached his children’s baseball and T-Ball teams.
He was a plain-spoken, honest man who had tremendous integrity. As his family and friends at the King’s Table at Smooth Endings can attest, Ken told it like it was. If you asked for his opinion, he gladly gave it to you.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Irene Beck; and siblings, John Gugliocciello, Phyllis Weber, and Eugene Gugliocciello.
Survivors include his wife of nearly 44 years, Angie; his children, Julie Burke (Brad), Robert Beck (Stacie), Timothy Beck (Denise), Krista Bodinson, and Gwen Neidel; grandchildren, Jesse, Emily, Katie, Ryan, Andrew, Ethan, Sara, Trevor, Breanna, Jackson, Carson, Seth and Scott; great-grandchildren, Elliana, Kyson and Martin; sister-in-law, Mary Lee Gugliocciello; and brother-in-law, Dennis Weber.
Farewell Services and Public Livestream 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, St. Paul Lutheran Church. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will gather with friends 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. Monday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. The family suggests memorial contributions to St. Paul Lutheran Church or the East Side Lions Club. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.
