BEECHER, Bernard J. 1920-2015
BEECHER, MCCABE, KIES
Posted By: K. L. Kittleson
Date: 10/18/2015 at 19:03:28
Bernard J. "Barney" Beecher
February 3, 1920 - March 27, 2015
Bernard J. "Barney" Beecher, 95, of Waterloo, formerly of Elma, died at home Friday, March 27.
He was born February 3, 1920, in Dougherty, Iowa, the son of John and Luella McCabe Beecher. Bernard married Mary Margaret Kies on Oct. 28, 1944, in Waterloo. She died Aug. 25, 2013.
Barney attended St. Joseph’s Academy and Loras College in Dubuque and graduated from the University of Iowa in 1941. He worked at Howard County Equity, Rath Packing Co. and Crescent Electric Supply Co. prior to joining his father-in-law, Arthur “Art” Kies in business, starting Kies Electric Supply Co. in 1953. Following Art’s death in 1958, Barney continued in the business until his retirement.
Survived by: five sons, John (Mary Kay) and Robert, both of Waterloo, Richard (Barbara) of Sewell’s Point, Fla., Jim (Lisa) of Lemont, Ill., and Joseph of Charlotte, N.C.; six daughters, Ann (Michael) and Joan, both of Dubuque, Jane and Barb (Bruce), both of Waterloo, Susan (Jeff) of Rock Island, Ill., and Jean (Greg) of Rockford, Ill; 27 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; and two sisters LuAnn Hutchins and Veronica (“Ronnie”) Riley of Charles City.
Preceded in death by: his parents; a daughter, Gerry; three brothers, Edward, Louis and Gerald; and a sister, Mary Jane.
Services: Tuesday at St. Edward’s Catholic Church, with entombment in Mount Olivet Mausoleum. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday at Hagarty-Waychoff-Grarup Funeral Service on West Ridgeway, where there will be a 7 p.m. vigil service. Visitation also for an hour before services Tuesday at the church.
Memorials: may be directed to St. Edward's Parish, Cedar Valley Hospice, or Columbus High School.
He was a member of the choir at St. Edward's Catholic Church, a Boy Scout leader, a member of Elks Club and the Knights of Columbus, and a Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International. He was also a member of the National Association of Electrical Distributors and Sunnyside Country Club.
Source: Hagarty-Waychoff-Grarup Funeral Service
Black Hawk Obituaries maintained by Karen De Groote.
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