Rev. John L. Beck

Rev. John L. Beck, 92, loving husband of 66 years to Barbara Seletzky Beck, passed away on February 27, 2026, at Pilgrim Manor, Cromwell, CT. He was born in Sauk Rapids, MN on November 24, 1933, son of the late Rev. John and Gloria (Berwald) Beck. In addition to his wife Barbara, John leaves his children, Christina Beck and her husband Christopher Foran, John Beck and his wife Sabrina, Matthew Beck and his wife Paulette, and Rachel Beck and her husband Jeremy Naftel, his grandchildren, Megan, Katharine, Natalie, Connor, and Gabrielle, and sisters, Rosemary Dietrich and Gloria Becker.

John grew up in Fair Haven, MN, one of eight siblings in a family and community deeply rooted in faith and the Lutheran tradition. Called to the ministry, John attended Concordia College in St. Paul, MN and Concordia Theological Seminary in St Louis, MO. While still in seminary, John served as vicar in South Euclid, OH, where he met the love of his life, Barbara Seletzky. Upon finishing seminary, John accepted a call to serve in Washington, DC and was ordained in the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod in 1959. John married Barbara on February 20, 1960, and Barbara joined him in DC. John’s ministry took John and Barbara from Washington, DC, to Odenton, MD, before they settled in Middletown, CT, where John served as pastor of Grace Lutheran Church. Beyond the pulpit, John worked with those struggling with addiction, serving as a counselor in that ministry. He was an avid gardener, loved his fruit trees, and never saw a potted plant he couldn’t find a place for. He loved words and language, studying ancient Greek into his last years, and he rarely left the house without a satchel of books. He faithfully brought communion to shut-ins, led Bible classes, and shared his love of scripture with all who knew him. He was an enthusiastic supporter of his children and grandchildren, cheering them on at football games, volleyball matches, and every activity in between. His steadfast love for Barbara and respect for her teaching and art was a constant through their more than half century of marriage.

John was preceded in death by his sisters, Glorianna Dubbe and Johanna Muehring, and by his brothers, Lowell Beck, Walter Beck, and Dr. William Beck.

A funeral service celebrating Rev. John Beck’s life will be held on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. in St. John Lutheran Church, 520 Paddock Ave., Meriden, CT. Friends are invited to visit with his family at the church prior to the service from 10:00-11:00 a.m. For those unable to attend in person, the service will be live streamed here: Rev. John L. Beck Funeral Service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are welcome to St. John Lutheran Church.