Donald J Beans

Donald (Don) Jerome Beans passed away on December 1, 2025 at the age 84 at the Henry Ford Hospice Home in Jackson, Michigan with his wife, sister and a close friend by his side. He was born on December 18, 1940 to Lloyd and Florence (Amstutz) Beans in Jackson, Michigan. He is survived by his wife Dianne of 58 years, his daughter Angela (David) Claud of Dallas, Texas, his son Daniel (Janet) of West Chester, Ohio, 7 grandchildren: Valerie Ropelato, Kirstie Johnson, Sarah (David) Peterson, Stephen (Morgan) Claud, Alexander (Danielle) Beans, Chloe Beans, Maddie Beans, his sister Margaret (Robert) Burritt of Jackson, Michigan, 3 great grand children and several nephews and a niece. He is preceded in death by his parents.

Don graduated from East Jackson High School in 1958. He went on to graduate from Jackson Community College and then to the University of Michigan (Dearborn Campus) where he received his B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering in February of 1964.

In May of 1964, Don left the states to serve as a missionary with Trans World Radio on the island of Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles. After three years of service on Bonaire, Don returned to the states and he and Dianne were married on June 10, 1967 in Tullahoma, Tennessee. Together they returned to Bonaire on July 10 to begin their service with Trans World Radio which lasted 17 years. For several years before leaving the island, Don served as Chief Engineer for the transmitter site.

Don and Dianne left Bonaire in December of 1984 and spent 11 months serving TWR in Montevideo, Uruguay before returning to Jackson in May of 1986.

Don worked for the University of Michigan Public Radio stations WUOM and WVGR taking care of the radio transmitters for 19 years before retiring in 2006.

Don's faith in the Lord Jesus was the cornerstone of his life. He was a charter member of Bethel Baptist Church where he served for many years. He was always ready to share his faith when he had the opportunity. He was a man of prayer. If you asked him to pray for something, he would stop and pray for that request immediately.

In 2002 Don was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. He and his wife participated in the Jackson County Parkinson's Support Group and the Rock Steady Boxing program for many years. During those years Don was a source of encouragement to so many people who were also dealing with the disease.

In his retirement years, Don enjoyed writing. His first project, which he finished in December, 2014, was a Christmas play entitled "Immanuel". He was a member of the "Write Your Life" Memoir Writers group at the Crouch Senior Center of Jackson County where he wrote numerous short stories of his growing up years.

A memorial service will be held to honor his life December 13, 11 o'clock at Bethel Church, 1691 Springport Rd, Jackson with visitation beginning at 10 o'clock. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to Bethel Church or to Trans World Radio, P.O. Box 8700, Cary, NC 27512.