OBIT: William H. BEACHLER, 1941, formerly of Somerset County, PA

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Meyersdale Library.
Transcribed and proofread by: Richard Boyer.

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WILLIAM H. BEACHLER

The Passing of Dr. W. H. Beachler

Filled Meyersdale Pulpit During Early Years In The Ministry

  The recent visit of Mrs. W. H. Beachler, of Eaton, Ohio, and her son, Russell 
Beachler of Genessee, Ill., who were guests of Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Baldwin, 
recalls the death of the Rev. William H. Beachler, who died at the home of his 
daughter, Lorene, at Eaton, Ohio, June 8th.  Since many in Meyersdale and 
vicinity, who knew him so well and favorably, and who, perhaps, have not yet 
heard of his sudden passing, The Republican deems it only right and proper to 
publish the story of his death, though at a belated date, by reproducing the 
article that appeared in the Brethren Evangelist, the official organ of the 
Brethren church, as follows:
  Wm. H. Beachler was born July 24, 1878, near Miamisburg, Ohio, the son of 
Daniel Beachler and Sarah Huber Beachler.  He attended public school near his 
home and in the fall of 1900 he entered Ashland College to prepare for the 
ministry.  In June, 1905, he entered the ministry of the Brethren Church 
devoting his full time to the service of his church.  During his college years 
he served the pulpits of the Farmersville, Bear Creek and his home church, near 
Miamisburg.
  In August, 1905, he was united in marriage with Mabel Catherine Garber and 
together they accepted his first call to a resident pastorate in January, 1906, 
at Troy, Ohio.  Since this first pastorate, he has continuously occupied 
Brethren pulpits with the exception of two and one-half years when he was called 
to the service of Ashland College, in raising an endowment.
  During the forty-one years in which he served the Brethren Church he has 
occupied with sincerity and success the pulpits at Meyersdale, Pa., Waterloo, 
Iowa, South Bend, Indiana, Dayton, Ohio, Gratis, Ohio, New Lebanon, Ohio and his 
last pastorate in Hagerstown, Maryland.
  During his ministry Dr. Beachler became extensively known as a lecturer and 
institute speaker, and his work in these fields was constantly in demand.
  He was first stricken with ill health in February, 1940, after enjoying a full 
and vigorous and active life.  A partial recovery enabled him to resume his work 
at Hagerstown, until October, of the same year and since that time ill health 
has prevented his active service and in the early spring his Hagerstown 
Congregation generously extended to him a leave of absence in order that he 
might regain his health.  In April of this year, at his request, he was moved to 
the home of his daughter, Lorene, in Eaton, Ohio, and was seemingly making 
steady progress toward full recovery.
  Death came to him early in the morning, Sunday, June 8, 1941, leaving as his 
survivors, his widow, Mabel Catherine Beachler, two daughters, Mary Louise, at 
home, and Lorene Kiracofe of Eaton, Ohio, and one son, Russell Beachler of 
Genese, Illinois, and three grandchildren.
  The following editorial mention was also made in the Brethren Evangelist:

The Passing of Dr. Beachler

  The Evangelist of last week carried the news of the death of Dr. William H. 
Beachler who passed away under date of June 8, 1941.  The obituary by mistake 
carried my initials, but was presented to me by Dr. W. D. Furry, former 
president of Ashland College.  Dr. Furry has been supplying the Hagerstown 
pulpit and was in charge of the funeral services.  Dr. Puterbaugh represented 
the College at the services and the writer, by request of the family, the 
ministers.
  The funeral services were held in the New Lebanon church and the burial 
services at Eaton, O.  A number of ministers and church leaders were present for 
the services and in all a very large crowd.
  Dr. Beachler was a big man physically, a big man mentally and a big man 
spiritually.  He was a big man in the Brethren and would have been a BIG man in 
any church.  The church has truly lost a great leader.
  Also, from the Hagerstown Md., correspondence in the church paper the 
following is reproduced.
  We are extremely sorry to announce the death of our beloved brother, Dr. 
William H. Beachler.  The loss to the church at Hagerstown Maryland, is great, 
but the loss to the entire Brotherhood is far greater.  Men of the type of 
Brother Beachler are hard to replace, but the Lord will raise up someone to step 
into the ranks and fill, in a measure, the place thus made vacant.  May God's 
richest blessing rest upon the bereaved family.

Meyersdale Republican, July 31, 1941