Richard “Dick” L. Beamer

Richard L. “Dick” Beamer, Jr., 80, of New Philadelphia and formerly of Gnadenhutten, passed away peacefully Sunday, November 1, 2015 at Schoenbrunn Healthcare Center following a period of declining health.

Born August 5, 1935 in Goshen, he was the son of the late Richard L. and Edith I (Krocker) Beamer, Sr. After graduating from Dennison St. Mary’s High School, Richard married his wife, the late Betty Marie Beamer.

Dick served in Germany in the United States Army from 1958 to 1960 where he attained the rank of Private First Class. As a member of Company D, 2nd Battalion, 1st Calvary Division, Dick was trained as a driver from the M48 “Patton” tank. He would tell many stories about his time in the Army, but he was most proud of serving in the same battalion with Elvis Pressley and recalled talking with Elvis while on guard duty. Dick was honorably discharged in 1960 and was awarded the Tank Weapons Medal as well as the Submachine Gun Medal.

His professional career as a coal miner spanned 25 years with both Midvale and Peabody Coal Mines. Then, he worked for ODOT for 15 years prior to retirement.

Dick was a member of the Tusky V.F.W., Immaculate Conception Church and was also an avid hunter and fisherman. He was inducted into the Tuscarawas County Baseball Hall of Fame on January 19, 1970. Dick also enjoyed cheering on any Cleveland sports team, but especially the Indians.

Dick’s family includes his four children, Cathy (Luke) Lawless of Dover, Amy (Scott) Stein of New Philadelphia, Donna (fiancé, John Whalen) Corbett of Caves Creek, Arizona, and Rich (Wendy) Beamer of Gnadenhutten; his sisters, Jean (John) Johnson of Dover, Rosalie (Larry) Bolden of New Philadelphia and Carol (Larry) Valentine of Cuyahoga Falls; his brother, Robert Beamer of Tuscarawas; his grandchildren, Jeremiah (Leslie) Stein, Brian (companion, Emily Sabo) Stein, Molly (Colt) Liggett, Alex and Megan Lawless, Aaron Corbett, and Jessica and Jamie Beamer; and his two great-grandchild, Grady and Meyer Stein; and his sisters-in-law, Nellie E. (Frank) Hursey of Newcomerstown and Christine Beamer of Wainwright; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by his brother, Ken Beamer; and his sister-in-law, Linda Beamer.

Visitation will be held in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home on Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. Father Ty Tomson will celebrate Mass of Christian Burial in Immaculate Conception Church beginning at 10:30 a.m. on Friday. A meal will follow in the Geib Family Center in New Philadelphia. Private inurnment will be held in Calvary Cemetery at New Philadelphia at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be directed to either Community Hospice of Tuscarawas County, Inc., 716 Commercial Ave SW, New Philadelphia Ohio 44663, or Immaculate Conception Church, 206 N. 1st Street, Dennison, Ohio 44621.