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John Beese Obituary
August 3, 1935
August 23, 2015
John Fredrick Beese Jr., 80, passed away unexpectedly on August 23, 2015. He took great pride in the life he lived. He was born and died at the family home, Merestead Farms. John was preceded in death by his parents, John and Fredda Beese and his brothers Bill and Henry. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Lee; and his four sons, John Ivor (Jane) Beese, John F. (Heather) Beese III, Andrew (Melanie) and Matt (Laura) Beese; and his grandchildren, Jonathon, Jacob, Emily, Lucy, Slade, John (Jack) IV, Ella, Evan and Taylor.
John lived his entire life at Merestead Farms with the exception of his time at his beloved Alma Mater, Kenyon College and his time in Iceland as a member of the Air Force. His life was devoted and filled with a passion for farming, family, history and learning. In recent years he worked with the City of Green to help define the history of the area and took great joy in his farm's 200th anniversary and recognition as a historical landmark. John was also a proud inductee to the Kenyon College Hall of Fame.
Those who knew John well would describe him as a loyal friend, an incredibly hard worker, a proud father and husband. He had a great ability to tell a joke and to pull a prank. His presence at family functions, local parties and at civic events will be sorely missed.
A memorial service will be held TODAY, Thursday, August 27, 2015 at 2 p.m. at Merestead Farms, 486 East Turkeyfoot Lake Road, Akron, Ohio 44319. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to The Thomas J. Edwards Scholarship Fund at Kenyon College, Gambier, OH 43022 or Stewart's Caring Place, 2955 West Market Street, Suite R, Akron, Ohio 44333.
.... "And his gates are hanging straight"
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Memories and Condolences
for John Beese
Sponsored by Akron Beacon Journal.
Dave & Alice Lauby
September 8, 2015
To The Beese Family: We were so very sorry about the passing of John. He has been a friend of my family for many, many years. He will be missed by all who knew him, and he touched many lives. R.I.P. John. You have earned your place with the Lord and are sharing that smile with him. Prayers,
Mary & Mike Makar
September 6, 2015
We are very sorry for your loss.
Prayers
Mike & Mary Makar
Robert F. Makar
September 4, 2015
Today is one of my saddest days .I found out about the death of a very special person and friend John Beese.I cannot tell you how Sorry i fill ,My heart is broke for so many reasons.This world has not only loss a great person but a person who loved life,his family,friends and home.He had such a laugh that filled the room and a hug ,smile and wisdom be on anything else.love you John.
August 31, 2015
Lee, Matt and family I just saw the notice. I am so sorry and my prayers are with you during this time of most unimaginable sorrow. He was such a friendly, funny, and helpful man. I am blessed to have known him. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Kathy Zarrilli
Esther DeTray
August 29, 2015
Oh Lee, I am so sorry I missed the service. I just saw the note of John's passing in the green leader. He was such a pleasure to be around and that great smile. I was honored to call him my friend. My heartfelt sympathies to you and your family.
Jean McPherson
August 28, 2015
John, your wonderful smiles and humorous jokes will remain with me throughout my life. I truly admired the pride you and Lee displayed when speaking about your farm, Kenyon College, and your family. Many, will miss you. May God Bless you and may He find a fruitful farm for you to run in Heaven.
JEAN
August 28, 2015
Lee. We were shocked to hear about John's passing. He was so vibrant and full of life. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. Chip and Linda Hartong
Nancy & John Heslop
August 28, 2015
Dear Lee,
John and I were shocked to learn that your dear husband, John, had died so suddenly. We never knew a finer man or a finer marriage. We are terribly sorry that we didn't know of your loss until a few moments ago. We feel so privileged to have known him as he shared his love of Kenyon College, the farm, his family and most of all for you. We loved his teasing nature and insatiable curiosity. He was irrepressible. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
scot & sandy johnson
August 27, 2015
Lee and family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. John will be missed deeply. His smile was bigger than life. Special guy he was. Never forgotten.
Dan and Joan Summers
August 27, 2015
Dear Lee and family,
We were so shocked and saddend to hear of John's passing. I was so blessed to have him for a classmate and true friend. We will always treasure the afternoon we spent with you and John last October at your house and the caring and compassiion you showed us as we carry on our journey in llife.
Sending our love,
Dan and Joan Summers
Fort Myers, Fl
August 27, 2015
Dear Lee and family,
We were so shocked and saddened to hear of John's passing. I was so blessed to have him for a classmate and true friend, We will always treasure the afternoon we spent with you and John last October at your house and the caring and compassion you showed us as we carry on our journey in life.
Sending our love,
Dan and Joan Summers
Fort Myers, Fl.
August 27, 2015
Mr. Beese was a wonderful man. He will be very much missed. Thoughts and prayers go out to his family. Evelyn Peel and family
August 27, 2015
As deeply as we feel John's passing, our hearts break knowing the loss of the family.s heart and soul is the greater tragedy. Know how much we love you. The Tim Padden family
Eric Fuller
August 27, 2015
Great and helpful guy to work with!
Susan Birnbaum
August 26, 2015
Dear Lee and Family,
We were so sad to learn of John's passing. He was a loving and loyal friend for many years. The kindness you and John extended to us will always be remembered and treasured. The good times we had will always bring a smile. John, we're glad we knew you. Richard Lopez, Lauri Birnbaum Heidrick, Terri Birnbum Balken, Dana Morgan.
Meredith and Jim Crouse
August 26, 2015
Dear Lee and the Beese family,
We will greatly miss John's vibrant personality. He was a true, loyal friend. We are praying for you. Please let us know if we can do anything.
Bev and Tom Fry
August 26, 2015
Condolences during this difficult time. Johns smile was larger than life.
Norma Brockschmitt
August 26, 2015
Very sorry to hear of John's passing.
August 26, 2015
Dear Lee and Family: I am so very sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
With Love, Becky (McIntyre) Williams
Barbara Holdren
August 26, 2015
Sincerest sympathies to all Beese family members on John's passing. John's deeply caring demeanor, smile, sense of honor, and love of his Community & family were infectious. I will forever miss John Beese as a friend and caring,trusted advisor. Rest in Peace, my friend.
Michael Lynch
August 26, 2015
John,
I will remember you as a great and loyal friend, especially to my late stepdad Bill Shively. Your immense presence, filled with laughter and bravado, will be sorely missed. I will miss seeing you driving around on your tractor, a sight I remember since childhood. I will never forget the last conversation we had (and I thank you for your words) and I am sorry I forgot to give you the shoehorn. I'll keep it in your memory as well. God bless and keep you.
Karen Lamb
August 26, 2015
Dear John and family, I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you in this difficult time.
Tammy Coen
August 26, 2015
My heartfelt condolences go out to Lee and the entire Beese Family. John was a Man ....Larger than Life. I will miss his infectious smile.
Tom and Bev Fry
August 26, 2015
Our condolences during this time. Johns smile was larger than life.
Dan and Judy Croghan
August 26, 2015
Dear Lee and boys. I was so shocked and saddened to hear of John's death. John was such a vibrant and active person and so proud of the community he called home for the past 80 years. I valued our friendship and deeply appreciated the many things John did to make Green such an outstanding community. This is a man that will truly be missed by many. Rest in peace, John. You've certainly earned it.
August 26, 2015
To the entire Beese family, we are so sorry for your loss. May you find peace in the fact that he passed where he was born.
Todd, Melissa, Brady and Weston Jarvis
Showing 1 - 26 of 26 results
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Memorial Events
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Aug
26
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Hummel Funeral Home & Crematories - Akron500 East Exchange Street, Akron, OH 44304
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