MUNCIE - Mary Anna Beasley passed away at the age of 94 on Sunday evening, December 2, 2012, at Westminster Health Care.
Mary Anna was born on January 19, 1918 in Marion, Indiana, the daughter of Edith M. (Fouts) and Ora E. Butz, the former president of Indiana Business College.
She graduated from Shortridge High School in Indianapolis, then went on to earn her Bachelor's Degree in English with a minor in Spanish, from Butler University in 1939. While at Butler, Mary Anna was vice-president of the freshman class, a delegate to the YWCA conference in Lake Geneva, and President of Delta Delta Delta sorority in her senior year. She remained an active alumna of the sorority and received the Frances Longshore Award as Indiana's outstanding Tri Delta member in 1981, and the Golden Circle Award for fifty years of service in 1986. She was instrumental in founding the Tri Delta chapter at Ball State University and served as an adviser and member of its housing corporation.
Immediately after college, she worked as a secretary to the chief administrators at Eli Lilly & Company before marrying her high school sweetheart, John Byron "Barney" Beasley, in 1941. The new bride resided at several military bases while her husband served in the Navy during World War II. After the war, they made their home in Ann Arbor, Michigan where Barney earned his law degree. Mary Anna and Barney moved to Muncie in 1946 to begin his career at White & Haymond Attorneys and later, she played a strong supporting role in her husband's growing law firm, what is now Beasley & Gilkison LLP. The Beasley's raised their family in Muncie, but would return to Michigan for many summer vacations with family and friends at their favorite destination, Blue Heaven on Torch Lake.
Mary Anna was a championship-winning tennis player and she and her husband, along with others in the community, were instrumental in establishing the city's first indoor tennis courts, formerly known as the Muncie Tennis Club, and now a part of the northwest YMCA. Additionally, Mary Anna was an accomplished bridge player and belonged to the "Thursday afternoon bridge club" for over fifty years. As a master bridge player, she was a great teacher and advocate of the game. Mary Anna was also an enthusiastic amateur photographer, she enjoyed gardening and tending to her roses, and was a self-taught tap dancer and pianist. She was an ardent collector of Bing & Grondhal, Hummel, Royal Doulton, and Lladro plates and figurines, which she proudly displayed in her beautiful home, where she was well-known to be a gracious and attentive hostess. Mary Anna was a lifelong member of College Avenue United Methodist Church and a generous patron to many non-profit organizations in the community.
Perhaps as notable as any of her tangible accomplishments and activities, Mary Anna will be remembered for her genuine kindness to others, her radiant personality, her unrivaled enthusiasm and energy, and her joyful and happy spirit. Mary Anna could light up a room with her beautiful smile, and was generous with her words of encouragement and praise to everyone she encountered. Mary Anna's sense of grace and propriety was the perfect complement to her husband Barney's rambunctious and playful personality, and her ever-effusive love was a constant source of comfort and warmth to her family.
Mary Anna leaves behind a family filled with gratitude for being part of her magnificent life, including her children, John B. Beasley, Jr. (wife, Kaye), Port Charlotte, FL, William T. Beasley (wife, Michelle), Peoria, AZ, Catherine A. Brinker (husband, Mark), Muncie, and Robert C. Beasley (wife, Kim), Muncie; eight grandchildren, Jeffrey R. Beasley (wife, Susan), Lisa D. Illum (husband, James), Sarah J. Beasley, Joseph G. Beasley, Benjamin B. Brinker, Samuel J. Beasley, Caleb J. Beasley (wife, Ashley), and Luke C. Beasley; two step-grandchildren, John W. and Katharine J. Campbell; two great-granddaughters, Kaylee Hathaway and Grace Catherine Beasley; a brother, Charles T. "Chic" Butz, Indianapolis; and numerous nieces and nephews. Notably, Mary Anna and Barney played a significant role in the lives of Dr. Patricia Hughes and her brother Dr. John T. Watson, who lost their mother, Mary Anna's sister Kate, as children.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of sixty-two years; a daughter, Jane Ann Beasley; two sisters, Dortha V. Butz and Kate Watson; and a brother, Tom Butz.
The family would like to thank the staff at Westminster Village and Health Care for their wonderful care of Mary Anna during recent years, and to extend their gratitude to the residents for their kindness and support.
Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 8, 2012 at College Avenue United Methodist Church with pastor Chip Gast officiating. Burial will follow in Elm Ridge Cemetery.
Friends may call at the church from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. on Saturday prior to the service.
An open house will be held from 1:30 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. on Saturday at the Delaware Country Club for family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to College Avenue United Methodist Church, 1968 W. Main St., Muncie, IN 47303 or Alzheimer Association, Central Indiana Chapter, 50 E. 91st St., Ste 100, Indianapolis, IN 46240.
The Meeks Mortuary and Crematory, Washington Street Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to the family at http://www.meeksmortuary
Mary Anna was born on January 19, 1918 in Marion, Indiana, the daughter of Edith M. (Fouts) and Ora E. Butz, the former president of Indiana Business College.
She graduated from Shortridge High School in Indianapolis, then went on to earn her Bachelor's Degree in English with a minor in Spanish, from Butler University in 1939. While at Butler, Mary Anna was vice-president of the freshman class, a delegate to the YWCA conference in Lake Geneva, and President of Delta Delta Delta sorority in her senior year. She remained an active alumna of the sorority and received the Frances Longshore Award as Indiana's outstanding Tri Delta member in 1981, and the Golden Circle Award for fifty years of service in 1986. She was instrumental in founding the Tri Delta chapter at Ball State University and served as an adviser and member of its housing corporation.
Immediately after college, she worked as a secretary to the chief administrators at Eli Lilly & Company before marrying her high school sweetheart, John Byron "Barney" Beasley, in 1941. The new bride resided at several military bases while her husband served in the Navy during World War II. After the war, they made their home in Ann Arbor, Michigan where Barney earned his law degree. Mary Anna and Barney moved to Muncie in 1946 to begin his career at White & Haymond Attorneys and later, she played a strong supporting role in her husband's growing law firm, what is now Beasley & Gilkison LLP. The Beasley's raised their family in Muncie, but would return to Michigan for many summer vacations with family and friends at their favorite destination, Blue Heaven on Torch Lake.
Mary Anna was a championship-winning tennis player and she and her husband, along with others in the community, were instrumental in establishing the city's first indoor tennis courts, formerly known as the Muncie Tennis Club, and now a part of the northwest YMCA. Additionally, Mary Anna was an accomplished bridge player and belonged to the "Thursday afternoon bridge club" for over fifty years. As a master bridge player, she was a great teacher and advocate of the game. Mary Anna was also an enthusiastic amateur photographer, she enjoyed gardening and tending to her roses, and was a self-taught tap dancer and pianist. She was an ardent collector of Bing & Grondhal, Hummel, Royal Doulton, and Lladro plates and figurines, which she proudly displayed in her beautiful home, where she was well-known to be a gracious and attentive hostess. Mary Anna was a lifelong member of College Avenue United Methodist Church and a generous patron to many non-profit organizations in the community.
Perhaps as notable as any of her tangible accomplishments and activities, Mary Anna will be remembered for her genuine kindness to others, her radiant personality, her unrivaled enthusiasm and energy, and her joyful and happy spirit. Mary Anna could light up a room with her beautiful smile, and was generous with her words of encouragement and praise to everyone she encountered. Mary Anna's sense of grace and propriety was the perfect complement to her husband Barney's rambunctious and playful personality, and her ever-effusive love was a constant source of comfort and warmth to her family.
Mary Anna leaves behind a family filled with gratitude for being part of her magnificent life, including her children, John B. Beasley, Jr. (wife, Kaye), Port Charlotte, FL, William T. Beasley (wife, Michelle), Peoria, AZ, Catherine A. Brinker (husband, Mark), Muncie, and Robert C. Beasley (wife, Kim), Muncie; eight grandchildren, Jeffrey R. Beasley (wife, Susan), Lisa D. Illum (husband, James), Sarah J. Beasley, Joseph G. Beasley, Benjamin B. Brinker, Samuel J. Beasley, Caleb J. Beasley (wife, Ashley), and Luke C. Beasley; two step-grandchildren, John W. and Katharine J. Campbell; two great-granddaughters, Kaylee Hathaway and Grace Catherine Beasley; a brother, Charles T. "Chic" Butz, Indianapolis; and numerous nieces and nephews. Notably, Mary Anna and Barney played a significant role in the lives of Dr. Patricia Hughes and her brother Dr. John T. Watson, who lost their mother, Mary Anna's sister Kate, as children.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of sixty-two years; a daughter, Jane Ann Beasley; two sisters, Dortha V. Butz and Kate Watson; and a brother, Tom Butz.
The family would like to thank the staff at Westminster Village and Health Care for their wonderful care of Mary Anna during recent years, and to extend their gratitude to the residents for their kindness and support.
Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 8, 2012 at College Avenue United Methodist Church with pastor Chip Gast officiating. Burial will follow in Elm Ridge Cemetery.
Friends may call at the church from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. on Saturday prior to the service.
An open house will be held from 1:30 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. on Saturday at the Delaware Country Club for family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to College Avenue United Methodist Church, 1968 W. Main St., Muncie, IN 47303 or Alzheimer Association, Central Indiana Chapter, 50 E. 91st St., Ste 100, Indianapolis, IN 46240.
The Meeks Mortuary and Crematory, Washington Street Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to the family at http://www.meeksmortuary
MUNCIE - Mary Anna Beasley passed away at the age of 94 on Sunday evening, December 2, 2012, at Westminster Health Care.
Mary Anna was born on January 19, 1918 in Marion, Indiana, the daughter of Edith M. (Fouts) and Ora E. Butz, the former president of Indiana Business College.
She graduated from Shortridge High School in Indianapolis, then went on to earn her Bachelor's Degree in English with a minor in Spanish, from Butler University in 1939. While at Butler, Mary Anna was vice-president of the freshman class, a delegate to the YWCA conference in Lake Geneva, and President of Delta Delta Delta sorority in her senior year. She remained an active alumna of the sorority and received the Frances Longshore Award as Indiana's outstanding Tri Delta member in 1981, and the Golden Circle Award for fifty years of service in 1986. She was instrumental in founding the Tri Delta chapter at Ball State University and served as an adviser and member of its housing corporation.
Immediately after college, she worked as a secretary to the chief administrators at Eli Lilly & Company before marrying her high school sweetheart, John Byron "Barney" Beasley, in 1941. The new bride resided at several military bases while her husband served in the Navy during World War II. After the war, they made their home in Ann Arbor, Michigan where Barney earned his law degree. Mary Anna and Barney moved to Muncie in 1946 to begin his career at White & Haymond Attorneys and later, she played a strong supporting role in her husband's growing law firm, what is now Beasley & Gilkison LLP. The Beasley's raised their family in Muncie, but would return to Michigan for many summer vacations with family and friends at their favorite destination, Blue Heaven on Torch Lake.
Mary Anna was a championship-winning tennis player and she and her husband, along with others in the community, were instrumental in establishing the city's first indoor tennis courts, formerly known as the Muncie Tennis Club, and now a part of the northwest YMCA. Additionally, Mary Anna was an accomplished bridge player and belonged to the "Thursday afternoon bridge club" for over fifty years. As a master bridge player, she was a great teacher and advocate of the game. Mary Anna was also an enthusiastic amateur photographer, she enjoyed gardening and tending to her roses, and was a self-taught tap dancer and pianist. She was an ardent collector of Bing & Grondhal, Hummel, Royal Doulton, and Lladro plates and figurines, which she proudly displayed in her beautiful home, where she was well-known to be a gracious and attentive hostess. Mary Anna was a lifelong member of College Avenue United Methodist Church and a generous patron to many non-profit organizations in the community.
Perhaps as notable as any of her tangible accomplishments and activities, Mary Anna will be remembered for her genuine kindness to others, her radiant personality, her unrivaled enthusiasm and energy, and her joyful and happy spirit. Mary Anna could light up a room with her beautiful smile, and was generous with her words of encouragement and praise to everyone she encountered. Mary Anna's sense of grace and propriety was the perfect complement to her husband Barney's rambunctious and playful personality, and her ever-effusive love was a constant source of comfort and warmth to her family.
Mary Anna leaves behind a family filled with gratitude for being part of her magnificent life, including her children, John B. Beasley, Jr. (wife, Kaye), Port Charlotte, FL, William T. Beasley (wife, Michelle), Peoria, AZ, Catherine A. Brinker (husband, Mark), Muncie, and Robert C. Beasley (wife, Kim), Muncie; eight grandchildren, Jeffrey R. Beasley (wife, Susan), Lisa D. Illum (husband, James), Sarah J. Beasley, Joseph G. Beasley, Benjamin B. Brinker, Samuel J. Beasley, Caleb J. Beasley (wife, Ashley), and Luke C. Beasley; two step-grandchildren, John W. and Katharine J. Campbell; two great-granddaughters, Kaylee Hathaway and Grace Catherine Beasley; a brother, Charles T. "Chic" Butz, Indianapolis; and numerous nieces and nephews. Notably, Mary Anna and Barney played a significant role in the lives of Dr. Patricia Hughes and her brother Dr. John T. Watson, who lost their mother, Mary Anna's sister Kate, as children.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of sixty-two years; a daughter, Jane Ann Beasley; two sisters, Dortha V. Butz and Kate Watson; and a brother, Tom Butz.
The family would like to thank the staff at Westminster Village and Health Care for their wonderful care of Mary Anna during recent years, and to extend their gratitude to the residents for their kindness and support.
Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 8, 2012 at College Avenue United Methodist Church with pastor Chip Gast officiating. Burial will follow in Elm Ridge Cemetery.
Friends may call at the church from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. on Saturday prior to the service.
An open house will be held from 1:30 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. on Saturday at the Delaware Country Club for family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to College Avenue United Methodist Church, 1968 W. Main St., Muncie, IN 47303 or Alzheimer Association, Central Indiana Chapter, 50 E. 91st St., Ste 100, Indianapolis, IN 46240.
The Meeks Mortuary and Crematory, Washington Street Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to the family at http://www.meeksmortuary
Mary Anna was born on January 19, 1918 in Marion, Indiana, the daughter of Edith M. (Fouts) and Ora E. Butz, the former president of Indiana Business College.
She graduated from Shortridge High School in Indianapolis, then went on to earn her Bachelor's Degree in English with a minor in Spanish, from Butler University in 1939. While at Butler, Mary Anna was vice-president of the freshman class, a delegate to the YWCA conference in Lake Geneva, and President of Delta Delta Delta sorority in her senior year. She remained an active alumna of the sorority and received the Frances Longshore Award as Indiana's outstanding Tri Delta member in 1981, and the Golden Circle Award for fifty years of service in 1986. She was instrumental in founding the Tri Delta chapter at Ball State University and served as an adviser and member of its housing corporation.
Immediately after college, she worked as a secretary to the chief administrators at Eli Lilly & Company before marrying her high school sweetheart, John Byron "Barney" Beasley, in 1941. The new bride resided at several military bases while her husband served in the Navy during World War II. After the war, they made their home in Ann Arbor, Michigan where Barney earned his law degree. Mary Anna and Barney moved to Muncie in 1946 to begin his career at White & Haymond Attorneys and later, she played a strong supporting role in her husband's growing law firm, what is now Beasley & Gilkison LLP. The Beasley's raised their family in Muncie, but would return to Michigan for many summer vacations with family and friends at their favorite destination, Blue Heaven on Torch Lake.
Mary Anna was a championship-winning tennis player and she and her husband, along with others in the community, were instrumental in establishing the city's first indoor tennis courts, formerly known as the Muncie Tennis Club, and now a part of the northwest YMCA. Additionally, Mary Anna was an accomplished bridge player and belonged to the "Thursday afternoon bridge club" for over fifty years. As a master bridge player, she was a great teacher and advocate of the game. Mary Anna was also an enthusiastic amateur photographer, she enjoyed gardening and tending to her roses, and was a self-taught tap dancer and pianist. She was an ardent collector of Bing & Grondhal, Hummel, Royal Doulton, and Lladro plates and figurines, which she proudly displayed in her beautiful home, where she was well-known to be a gracious and attentive hostess. Mary Anna was a lifelong member of College Avenue United Methodist Church and a generous patron to many non-profit organizations in the community.
Perhaps as notable as any of her tangible accomplishments and activities, Mary Anna will be remembered for her genuine kindness to others, her radiant personality, her unrivaled enthusiasm and energy, and her joyful and happy spirit. Mary Anna could light up a room with her beautiful smile, and was generous with her words of encouragement and praise to everyone she encountered. Mary Anna's sense of grace and propriety was the perfect complement to her husband Barney's rambunctious and playful personality, and her ever-effusive love was a constant source of comfort and warmth to her family.
Mary Anna leaves behind a family filled with gratitude for being part of her magnificent life, including her children, John B. Beasley, Jr. (wife, Kaye), Port Charlotte, FL, William T. Beasley (wife, Michelle), Peoria, AZ, Catherine A. Brinker (husband, Mark), Muncie, and Robert C. Beasley (wife, Kim), Muncie; eight grandchildren, Jeffrey R. Beasley (wife, Susan), Lisa D. Illum (husband, James), Sarah J. Beasley, Joseph G. Beasley, Benjamin B. Brinker, Samuel J. Beasley, Caleb J. Beasley (wife, Ashley), and Luke C. Beasley; two step-grandchildren, John W. and Katharine J. Campbell; two great-granddaughters, Kaylee Hathaway and Grace Catherine Beasley; a brother, Charles T. "Chic" Butz, Indianapolis; and numerous nieces and nephews. Notably, Mary Anna and Barney played a significant role in the lives of Dr. Patricia Hughes and her brother Dr. John T. Watson, who lost their mother, Mary Anna's sister Kate, as children.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of sixty-two years; a daughter, Jane Ann Beasley; two sisters, Dortha V. Butz and Kate Watson; and a brother, Tom Butz.
The family would like to thank the staff at Westminster Village and Health Care for their wonderful care of Mary Anna during recent years, and to extend their gratitude to the residents for their kindness and support.
Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 8, 2012 at College Avenue United Methodist Church with pastor Chip Gast officiating. Burial will follow in Elm Ridge Cemetery.
Friends may call at the church from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. on Saturday prior to the service.
An open house will be held from 1:30 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. on Saturday at the Delaware Country Club for family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to College Avenue United Methodist Church, 1968 W. Main St., Muncie, IN 47303 or Alzheimer Association, Central Indiana Chapter, 50 E. 91st St., Ste 100, Indianapolis, IN 46240.
The Meeks Mortuary and Crematory, Washington Street Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to the family at http://www.meeksmortuary
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