WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Merdie Beverly, 72 of Burr Oak, passed away Thursday evening, April 15, 2010, at his home, surrounded by his family.
He was born Oct. 16, 1937, in Rock House Holler on Quick Sand Creek in Elmrock, Ky., a son of the late Marion and Tilda Bell (Collins) Beverly.
Merdie settled in Burr Oak in 1969. His early life was spent in Kentucky. On June 24, 1957, he
married Sarah Howard in LaGrange, Ind. She died Feb. 23, 1985.
On April 1, 1988, he married Audrey Belcher in Teaberry, Kentucky.
Following more than 30 years of dedicated employment with Morgan Olson in Sturgis, he retired in 2000.
He was a member of Mount Calvary United Baptist Church in Stroh, Ind., and enjoyed being outdoors, camping, fishing and mowing his grass. He had a real love and talent for music and he was a member of the Chapel Hill Bluegrass Band.
He is survived by his loving wife of 22 years, Audrey; a son, Kenneth (Karen) Beverly of Burr Oak; two daughters, Carolyn (Jessie) Smith of Knott County, Ky., and Linda Beverly of Burr Oak; seven grandchildren, Christina Hicks, Kenneth Phillip Beverly, Kasandra Keeslar, Sarah Jane Waite, Elisha Smith, Armondo Beverly and Greg Beverly; five great-grandchildren; a sister, Ivory Gault of Kendallville, Ind.; and many nieces, nephews, sisters and brothers in his church.
Preceding him in death were his parents; his first wife; eight brothers; and a sister.
The family received friends at the Hackman Family Funeral Homes Rosenberg Chapel, 807 E. Chicago Road, Sturgis, where funeral services celebrating the life of Merdie Beverly were held at 11 a.m. Monday. The Revs. Willie Collins, Ollie Smith and Ron Bell officiated.
A graveside committal followed the service at the Burr Oak Cemetery in Burr Oak.
Memorial donations may be directed to the charity of one’s choice.
