Richard William Beesley

Richard William Beesley, 83, of Huron Bay died Sunday afternoon at Baraga County Memorial Hospital in L'Anse following a lengthy illness.

Richard was born September 25, 1920 in Pequaming, a son of the late A. William and Mina J. (Soli) Beesley. He was a 1938 graduate of L'Anse High School, and was appointed to Annapolis in 1940. Richard was a veteran of WWII having served in the air force. In 1947 he received a degree in metallurgy from Michigan Tech University.

On December 1, 1945, he married the former Joyce M. Elmblad in Champagne, Illinois.

Mr. Beesley worked for Interlake Steel in Riverdale, IL for several years before retiring in 1978. They resided in Tinley Park, IL until relocating to Baraga County upon retirement.

He was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church in Skanee. In his spare time, Richard enjoyed fishing, hunting, cooking, playing cards, golfing and was a wildlife enthusiast.

Richard is survived by his wife, Joyce Beesley of Huron Bay; sons, Leonard (Susan) Beesley of Dollar Bay and Charles (Theresa) Beesley of Skanee; daughters, Janet (Tom) Vladika of Mokena, IL, Mary (Fred) Gay of New Lenox, IL and Tamara (John) Carroll of Laurium; grandchildren, Christine Tachick, Joseph Vladika, Kathy Beesley, Julie Vladika, Char-lee Beesley, Jacob Gay, Noah Beesley, Luke Gay, Hannah Beesley, Holly Nesselroad, Taylor Beesley and Ian Carroll; and great-grandchildren, Gavin Tachick and Mackenzie Tachick. Besides his parents, a brother, Leonard Beesley preceded him in death.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, October 14, 2003 from 2:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. in the Zion Lutheran Church in Skanee. A funeral service will be held following the visitation in the church at 3:00 p.m. with Rev. Judy Mattson officiating. Interment will take place in the Skanee Cemetery.

Thomas Vladika, Joseph Vladika, Fred Gay, Jacob Gay, Luke Gay and John Carroll will serve as pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make a memorial contribution may consider Richard's family.

Richard Beesley's obituary can be viewed at www.jacobsonfuneralhome.com where relatives and friends may leave a note of remembrance.

The Jacobson Funeral Home is assisting the family.