ILION - Mr. Harry E. Beckwith, 85, of Elizabethtown Road, died on February 26, 2011 at Faxton - St. Luke's Healthcare, Utica. Mr. Beckwith was born on January 13, 1926 in Frankfort, a son of the late Elting and Laura (Speece) Beckwith. He graduated from Frankfort High School and furthered his education at Michigan State University. Harry was veteran of WWII serving with the Army Air Corp as an aviation cadet, he was honorably discharged in 1950. In May of 1947 he married the former Elizabeth Wells. Harry was first employed at UNIVAC and later at Bendict's Company as a manufacturing engineer where he retired several years ago. Harry enjoyed being outdoors, whether it was camping, splitting wood, watching deer in the backyard, playing cards with "the boys" at the cabin or watching the boats at the Kayuta Lake Front. He was a member of the Kettle Beaver Club, the Masonic Grand Lodge the Ilion, American Legion Post 920 and the Society of Manufacturing Engineers. Harry is survived by a daughter, Linda Maury and her companion Bob Hadsell of Richfield Springs; a son, Robert Beckwith and his wife, Patty of Ilion; a sister, Edith Smith of Canada; five grandchildren, Samantha Alexander, Darlene Stetson, Marlene Clapp, Eric Beckwith, and Renee Goldsmith; and ten great-grandchildren, Dylan, Nicholas, Alexis, Tyler, Cassandra, Cody, Abigail, Cal, Gavin and Garrett, that were the glow of his smile and his loving companion, Verna Boor, as well as many nieces and nephews. In addition to his wife, Elizabeth Wells Beckwith, he was predeceased by a brother, Edson Beckwith. Funeral services for Harry will be held on Tuesday March 1, 2011 at 6pm at the Whiter-Hendrix Funeral Home Inc. 100 Otsego St. in Ilion, with Rev. Don King of the Dennison Corners Community Church officiating. Friends may call on Tuesday from 4pm until the time of the funeral.