Eugene Beekley

Beekley, Eugene
June 30, 1917 - June 5, 2011

Chaplain, Lt. Col. Eugene J. Beekley (USAF, Ret.), age 93, loving father, husband, uncle, cousin, friend, grandfather, and great-grandfather, born June 30, 1917, in Cerro Gordo Ill., passed away quietly in his sleep early morning, Sunday, June 5, 2011, in Sarasota, Fla. Chaplain Beekley's first wife, Margaret (Gill) predeceased him in 1986. His second wife, Jeanne (Spencer) survives, along with many children, step-children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. and three great, great grandchildren.
A graduate of Ashland, Ohio high school, Ashland University and Seminary, he was a, 32nd Degree Mason, former Ashland University board of trustees member, USAF Chaplain's Advisory Board member, Peru, New York Central School board member, Fairborn, Ohio Band Boosters member, and Kiwanian (many locations), Prior to his Air Force career Reverend Beekley served Brethren Churches in West Alexandria, Ohio, Canton, Ohio, and Warsaw, Indiana. Chaplain Beekley served his country and made friends around the world, with Air Force assignments in Geneva NY (Sampson AFB), Taegu AB Korea, Plattsburgh AFB NY, Thule AB, Greenland, Incirlik AB Turkey, Wright-Patternson AFB Ohio, Kadena AB Japan, Kunsan AB Korea, and Lackland AFB TX, where he retired from the Air Force with 23 years of service. He then served as pastor of Park Street Brethren Church in Ashland Ohio, for many years before eventually retiring to Sarasota.
The family will receive friends one hour prior to the funeral which begins at 11 a.m. today at the First Brethren Church on Shade Avenue in Sarasota. Interment will follow a funeral service on Saturday at Park Street Brethren Church in Ashland, Ohio.
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