Joan Beeks, 86, a longtime resident of Bluffton, passed away on Sunday morning, Oct. 13, 2024, at The Waters of Dunkirk after fighting a long, hard battle with Parkinson’s disease. Joan passed peacefully, surrounded by her family.
Joan was born on Oct. 18, 1937, in Trenton, Georgia, to John and Mary (West) Hancock. She attended Bluffton High School and married Larry Beeks on Oct. 25, 1954. They shared 59 years of marriage together. Joan worked at Franklin Electric in Bluffton for many years and retired in 2003.
Joan is survived by her children, Cathy Micklitsch of Pennville, Cindy Beeks of Montpelier, Cheri (Bill) Harris of Pennville, Connie (Ron) Dykes of Plymouth, Michigan, and Larry (Tami) Beeks II of North Webster; 18 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, John Hancock and Mary McBride, her sister, Katie Beeks, her husband Larry Beeks I and her grandson, Quentin Beeks.
A Graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 19, 2024, at Fairview Cemetery with her daughter, Connie Dykes officiating.
Memorials may be made in Joan’s memory to Friends Who Care Cancer Relief Foundation or to St. Jude Children’s Hospital and can be sent to the funeral home.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Lemler family of Thoma/Rich, Lemler Funeral Home in Bluffton. Friends can send online condolences to the family at www.thomarich.com.