GALE D. BEEKMAN

Gale Beekman

Gale D. Beekman, 76, of rural Ipava died at 10:05 a.m. March 12, 2023, in the Emergency Room of OSF St. Clair Medical Center in Princeton.

He was born Dec. 23, 1946, in Ipava, a son of Willis F. and Marjorie L. Thompson Beekman. He married Annie Stambaugh on Aug. 7, 2004, in Canton. She survives.

Also surviving are two sons, Brad (and Bambi) Beekman of Bushnell and Chad (and Heather) Beekman of Lewistown; three daughters, Stacey (and Richard) Meehan of Astoria, Kelly (and Tom) Carlock of Chandlerville and Rachel (and Clint) Laethem of Princeton; one brother, Donald (and Debra) Beekman of Emden; one sister, Karen (and Scott) Tippey of Lewistown; 15 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

He was an Army veteran, serving stateside during the Vietnam War with a rank of Specialist 4.

He worked at Fiat-Allis in Bluff City to begin his working career. He then was a salesman for Moorman Feed. He then began his insurance career, becoming an agent for Country Companies and later became owner and operator of the Insurance Center in Havana for over 30 years. He also assisted part-time in the auctioneer business with his son, Chad.

He was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Havana. He also was a member of the Astoria American Legion Post #25 where he was a Past Commander. He was a member and served on the church board at Summum Christian Church.

Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. Thursday at Shawgo Memorial Home in Astoria. Masonic services will take place at 7 p.m. A Celebration of Gale’s Life will take place at 11 a.m. Friday at Shawgo Memorial Home with Pastor Darrin Fish officiating. Burial will be in the Summum Cemetery with full military rites provided by the Astoria American Legion Post #25.

Memorials in Gale’s memory may be made to Summum Christian Church or the Astoria American Legion Post #25.

Condolences may be sent to www.shawgomemorialhome.com.

Published in the Astoria South Fulton Argus on 3/15/2023