This is the tombstone of Darleene Becher, located in row 8 of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Chattanooga, Mercer County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:
DARLEENE Dau. of
L. & M. Becher
1939-1941
Norma “Darleene” Becher was born in Berne, Adams County, Indiana, on 2 September 1939. She was the first child born to Louis Fredrick and Maryan (Ferry) Becher. Darleene was baptized by Rev. Yahl at Zion Chatt on 15 October 1939, with Lorain and Magdalene (Hone) Itskin as her sponsors. Darleen’s father was from Blackcreek Township and her mother was from Geneva, Indiana. Louis and Maryan Becher lived in Berne at the time of Darleene’s birth and Louis worked as a clerk in a meat market. [1]
In 1940 the Louis Becher family lived in a rented home at 260 East Main Street in Berne. Louis and Maryan were both 21 years old and Darleen was nine months old when the 1940 census was taken. Louis worked as a clerk in a meat market and Maryan was a housewife. They had lived in a rural area five years before. [2]Darleene died at Riley Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana, on 25 November 1941, at the young age of 2 years, 2 months, and 23 days. She had been a patient there for 25 days. Her death certificate and the church records indicate that she died of rectal cancer. Yager and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of the funeral arrangement. Her death certificate indicates that the family was living at 240 E. Walnut Street in Fort Wayne at the time of her death. She was buried on the 28th. [3]
According to Zion Chatt’s records Darleene was survived by her parents, grandparents, 3 great-grandparents, 4 uncles, 3 aunts, and 1 cousin.
[1] Indiana, Birth Certificates, 1907-1940, Norma Darleen Becher, 2 September 1939; database on-line, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 13 Nov 2016); Indiana State Board of Health, Vol. 76-80, Roll no. 16, #39070, Indiana Archives and Records Administration, Indianapolis, Indiana.
[2] 1940 U.S. Census, Ed 1-6, p. 3A, line 36, Louis Becher; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 13 Nov 2016); from NARA microfilm T627, roll 1024.
[3] Indiana Death Certificates, 1899-2011, Norma Becher, 25 Nov 1941; database on-line, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 13 Nov 2016); Indiana State Board of Health, Indiana Archives and Records Administration, Indianapolis, Indiana.