Suzanne Beal

Suzanne R. Beal, 58, of Kokomo, Indiana passed away on Friday, March 21, 2025 at Community Howard Regional Health Hospital in Kokomo, succumbing to a life-long battle with diabetes.

Suzanne was born on November 21, 1966 in Kokomo, Indiana to Frank and Janet (Kendall) Whiterd. She was a 1985 graduate of Northwestern High School. She was most recently employed at Kokomo Express Laundromat. Suzanne had previously owned a hybrid balloon bouquet shop and tanning bed business, The Gift Depot and Tanning Salon, located in Royal Center, IN, in the 1990s and 2000s.

Suzanne was the type of person who had never met a stranger. She loved talking to and teaching others. She was especially proud of being fluent in American Sign Language (ASL,) and had previously taught sign language classes for the Red Cross, at various public libraries, and at church. She also enjoyed listening to country music, playing puzzle and word games, and spending time with her dog, Junebug.

Suzanne also identified as a child of God and was devoted to spreading the gospel through her gift of sign language, as well as through teaching Sunday School at Loree Brethren Church, in Bunker Hill, IN.

Suzanne is survived by both of her parents, her sister Cristina (Damon) Drill, two sons, Andy (Erica) Gerlach and Cody (Julie) Gerlach, two grandchildren, Nick McMann and Lilly Gerlach, husbands from two previous marriages, Todd Gerlach and Matthew Beal, three nephews, two niece in-laws, 5 great-nephews, 1 great-niece, many cousins, and many friends.

Suzanne was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents Roy and Louise Kendall, her paternal grandparents Thomas and Dorothy Mattice Whiterd, her father in-law Wilbur Beal, her previous husband Harley Perkins, and several beloved aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Visitation will be held on Friday, March 28, 2025 from 12:00pm-2:00pm at Loree Brethren Church, 8483 South Strawtown Pike, Bunker Hill, Indiana 46914. Funeral services will follow at 2:00pm with Pastor David Lantz officiating. Burial will take place at Mast-Hensler Cemetery in Kokomo, Indiana.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Flowers-Leedy Funeral Home. Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at www.FlowersLeedyAllen.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may also be made to Flowers-Leedy Funeral Home to help cover the cost of her final expenses.