Jerry D. Beasley

Jerry D. Beasley, 64, of Benton Harbor, passed away Thursday, June 12, 2003 at Lakeland Specialty Hospital in Berrien Center. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at l:00 P.M. Tuesday at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph with Rev. David John Kleis officiating. Burial will follow at Coloma Cemetery with military rites conducted by Coloma American Legion Post #362, VFW Post #1137 of Benton Harbor, and VFW Post #6803 of Watervliet. Friends may call from 5-8 P.M. Monday at the funeral home. Memorials may be to Hospice at Home or the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Mr. Beasley was born January 7, 1939 in Truman, Arkansas to James & Georgie (Short) McCracken. Jerry served his country in the United States Marine Corp. On October 11, 1961, he married the former Mary Elizabeth Riley in Fairberry, Nebraska. Jerry was employed by Clark Equipment for many years before his retirement in 1982. Following his retirement, Jerry owned and operated B&B Cleaning Services and J&M Enterprises. For the last 11 years he was employed by Berrien Hills Country Club. Jerry was a member of the Eau Claire Community Church. He was involved with the Muscular Dystrophy Association, serving as Vice President of the Southwestern Michigan Chapter for several years. Jerry was an avid collector of baseball cards, metal banks and especially beanie babies. Jerry is survived by his wife Mary; his son David of Florida; two daughters- Katheryn Ladner of Picyuane, Miss; Anita Beasley of St. Joseph; eight grandchildren-Zachery, Emily, Ashley, Ian, Mandy, Jennifer, Tabatha, Jessa; one great grandson-Ryver; and three sisters-Helen (Donald) Butler of Missouri; Cynthia (John) Kinchen of St. Joseph; & Sylvia (M.C.) Lamb of California. He was preceded in death by his parents, and by a son-in-law-Dale Ladner.