Mary Beebe, 75

Mary Catherine Brandt was born to Rufus Lewis and Tena Anna (Roberts) Brandt in Ohio City, Ohio on June 14, 1944. Mary accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at a young age. She married Ronald Edward Beebe better known as Gus on November 20, 1965 in Vicksburg. Together they raised 12 children, and fostered around 25 children.

Aunt Mary was the name that she was often called not only by nieces and nephews, but by daycare kids as well. Over the years Mary had a desire to share the truth of Jesus love not only with her family but with all daycare kids by teaching them how to pray for meals. She also hosted five day clubs and invited neighbor kids as well. She gave out several candy bars for scripture memorization. She even gave rides to many kids for church.

Mary had several good times waterskiing, go cart racing, screaming on rollercoasters and teaching her kids that screaming on the rollercoaster was part of the fun. Mary also liked to do donuts in the snow. Mary taught many young kids how to ride bikes, how to sew and would even award them with a sewing machine license. She often made embroidered bags for women in the bible studies. One thing that Mary enjoyed was reading but about the only time you would ever see her read was if you were up late at night or up early in the morning. She set aside her hobbies and interest to do household chores so that the family was taken care of. Mary was a very sacrificial person. The world is not a better place without her but a better place because it had her love.

Mary passed away from this earth on Wednesday, September 4, 2019 after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s and entered into the presence of Jesus. Mary Beebe was preceded in death by her parents, Rufus and Anna Brandt, one granddaughter Destiny Beebe, and eight siblings. She is survived by her husband Gus Beebe, twelve children Tena (Rod) Bartholomew of Belding, MI, Ron Beebe Jr of Vicksburg, Michelle Perez of Port Huron, MI Patty(Randy) Graham of Almont, MI, Don(Kyeong) Beebe of Kalamazoo, MI, Tom(Jenny) Beebe of Palatine, IL, Ralph(Tammy) Beebe of Mendon, MI, Sherri(Jeremiah) Coe of Portage, MI, Veronica Mickaels of Kalamazoo, Dawn, Howard, and Amber, 20 grandchildren, one great grandchild, three siblings, Martha Pride of Scotts, Don (Lovina) Brandt of Geneva, IN, and Charles (Joyce) Brandt of Sarasota, FL, many nieces and nephews and even more great nieces and great nephews

Visitation will be from 10 am until noon on Monday Sep. 9, 2019 at the Chapman Memorial Church of the Nazarene of Vicksburg, MI. Services will begin at 12 noon at the church. Following a luncheon, interment will be in Schoolcraft Cemetery at approximately 2:45 pm. Donations may be made to Kalamazoo Gospel Mission. Arrangements were by the Eickhoff Funeral Home of Mendon. Memories may be shared with the family at www.eickhofffuneralhome.com