WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Richard Beechy, age 69, of Sturgis, Michigan passed away early Tuesday morning May 1, 2012 at the Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
He was born January 9, 1943 in Millersburg, Ohio son of Thomas L. and Dorothy (Young) Beechy.
Dick resided in Sturgis since 1984 coming from Loudonville, Ohio where he was a graduate of Loudonville High School with the class of 1961. Dick continued his education at Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio.
While living in Loudonville Dick was an active member of the community serving as a member of the Loudonville Planning Commission, Loudonville Planning Commission Board of Appeals, Kettering Hospital Board and St. Timothy Church Council.
On July 18, 1964 he married Betty Kraft in Loudonville, Ohio.
From 1963 – 1984 he had been employed by the Flxible Company in Loudonville. In 1984 he began a 16 year career with the Grumman Olsen in Sturgis and retired in July of 2003 from the NABI Corporation in Anniston, Alabama. For nine months prior to his retirement he worked in Hungary.
Dick was a veteran of the U.S. Army serving in Korea earning the rank of Spec. 4 and was a member of American Legion Post #257 in Loudonville. He was also a past member Eagles Lodge and the Athletic Boosters of Loudonville
He enjoyed his computer and his many email buddies. Dick loved time spent with his wife, kids, grandchildren and brothers.
He is survived by his wife, Betty, one daughter, Debra (her partner Kristin LeBlanc) Beechy of Portland, Oregon, two sons, Richard (Kelly) Beechy, II of Strongsville, Ohio and Eric Beechy of Bellevue, Nebraska, three grandchildren, Allyson, Jaret and Erika, three brothers, Greg (Connie) Beechy and Tom (Joanne) Beechy both of Loudonville, Ohio and Chris Beechy of Ashland, Ohio and several nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends from 5:00-8:00 P.M. Thursday at the Hackman Family Funeral Homes – Hackman Chapel, 114 S. Nottawa St., Sturgis, MI 49091, 269-651-2331. Mr. Beechy will be transported to the Byerly-Lindsey Funeral Home, 123 N. Market St., Loudonville, Ohio where the family will receive friends from 11:00-1:00 P.M. Friday. Funeral services celebrating the life of Richard D. Beechy will be held at 1:00 P.M. Friday at the funeral home. A graveside committal will follow the service at the Loudonville Cemetery where full military honors will be conferred.
The family suggests those wishing to make a memorial donation in Mr. Beechy’s memory consider the Zion Lutheran Church, 222 E. Main St., Loudonville, OH 44842.
