OBIT: Edith (STUTZMAN) BEACHY, 1944, native of Somerset County, PA

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

Copyright 2007.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/somerset/
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EDITH STUTZMAN BEACHY

  Mrs. Edith Stutzman Beachy, brief mention of whose passing was made in The 
Republican of June 29th, died in a hospital in Longview, Wash., Sunday 
afternoon, June 25th, after a long illness.  She had resided in Longview with 
her daughter, Mrs. Harvey B. Keim since 1923.
  Mrs. Beachy was revered and loved wherever she lived during her long life for 
her kind and loving disposition.  She was a member of the Longview Community 
Church, also a charter member of the Longview Woman's Club and a few years ago 
was honored by the club by being presented with a life membership.
  In addition to the daughter, Mrs. Lucie B. Keim, who cared so tenderly for her 
in her old age, she is survived by a son, Robert S. Beachy, a prominent banker 
of Kansas City, Mo., a grandson, Capt. Robert S. Beachy, Jr., now with our armed 
forces in France, a granddaughter, Mrs. Robert M. Belisle (the former Miss Edith 
Jane Beachy) and two great-grandchildren, Betsey and Lillian Susan Belisle, of 
Kansas City.
  Mrs. Beachy was born in Salisbury, Pa., Sept. 18, 1855, and lived 88 years, 9 
months and 7 days.  She was the youngest child of Jost Stutzman, pioneer 
educator of Somerset County, and sister of Joseph, Alexander, Dr. C. G. and 
Frank Stutzman, Mrs. Jack Gould, Mrs. Noah G. Keim and Mrs. Theodore F. 
Livengood, all of whom preceded her in death.  Her oldest brother, Joseph 
Stutzman, was also a noted teacher and first superintendent of schools of 
Somerset County.
  She followed the example of her father and other members of the family by also 
becoming a school teacher when she was yet in her "teens", but after a few years 
of pedagogy gave up teaching to become the wife of one of her former pupils, 
Milton J. Beachy, son of John W. Beachy, one of the best farmers of Elk Lick 
Township.
  After their marriage, Father Beachy retired and turned over his fine farm, 
adjoining the borough of Salisbury (now the Scott Moser farm) to his son.  There 
Mr. and Mrs. Milton J. Beachy started housekeeping and were a very happy and 
prosperous farming couple for a number of years.  Eventually they sold the farm 
and Mr. Beachy became a hardware merchant in Salisbury.  After a few years in 
that business, Mr. and Mrs. Beachy emigrated to Esbon, Kansas, where Mr. Beachy 
was engaged in the banking business until his death, after which Mrs. Beachy 
went to Longview, Wash., to live with her son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. 
Harvey B. Keim.
  In a letter to the editor of The Republican, Robert S. Beachy gives the 
following facts about his mother's funeral and burial:
  "When I learned Mother was so seriously ill, I immediately departed for 
Longview, but unfortunately did not reach there prior to her passing on.  I 
arrived there on Wednesday, June 28th, and found arrangements had been made for 
a community memorial service for Mother to be held that evening at 7 o'clock.  
It was one of the most beautiful services I have ever witnessed and, of course 
it made Lucie and me happy to hear such fine tributes paid to Mother's beautiful 
life.
  "There was no question abut the wonderful life she lived, but we marveled at 
how one elderly lady could have exerted such a great influence on a community as 
she did in Longview.  The church was filled with friends and representative 
businessmen.
  "The interment was held immediately after the memorial service.  Mother was 
laid away at the spot of her choice, next to her son-in-law, Harvey B. Keim, who 
preceded her in death twelve years ago.  It is also the spot that Sister Lucie 
expects to be buried in.  The cemetery is a most beautiful one and overlooks the 
Columbia River.
  The floral offerings at Mother's funeral were overwhelming.  Messages of 
condolence were received by the hundreds.  It was rather surprising to note that 
while occupied at the Republican National Convention, which was convened at that 
time, many representative men from over the country, as well as some governors, 
paused to remember us with telegrams at this time of our bereavement.
  "I tried my best to prevail upon Sister Lucie to return with me to Kansas 
City, but she felt it best, owing to business matters and close friendships in 
Longview, that she remains there at least during the hot summer weather.  We 
expect and hope that she will be able to pay us a long visit and possibly make 
her home here in Kansas City after this Fall."

Meyersdale Republican, July 13, 1944