Harry Beach, of Dowagiac

Published 8:00 am Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Harry Beach Jr., 64, of Dowagiac, passed away Friday, Feb. 24, 2017, at home, surrounded by his family.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017, at Clark Chapel and Cremation Services, 405 Center St., Dowagiac. A celebration of life service will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 1, 2017, also at the funeral home, with visitation for an hour prior. A private family burial will be at a later date in Sacred Heart of Mary Catholic Cemetery.

Those wishing to leave online condolences may do so at clarkch.com.

Harry Beach

Harry was born May 6, 1952, to the late Harry Sr. and Dorothy (Meska) Beach. He graduated from Dowagiac High School.

On Oct. 2, 1971, he married Anita Brosnan in Sacred Heart of Mary Catholic Church. He worked at the Cass County Road Commission as a heavy equipment operator for 41 years before retiring in March 2014. After retirement he could be found watching a good Western. Among his favorites were John Wayne and Gunsmoke.

Harry was a member of the Moose Lodge, Conservation Club and was a lifetime member of the NRA and North American Hunting Club. He was an American Red Cross blood donor, and was honored to receive his 10-gallon donor pin. He was an avid hunter, fisherman and was a 4-H grandpa. Harry also enjoyed having bonfires, his daily newspapers, antiquing (whoever has the most stuff at the end wins), gambling, building, Thirsty Thursdays at the body shop and spending time at his Lazy “B” North Deer Camp in Irons. Most of all, Harry enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. His grandchildren will always remember their grandpa saying, “Don’t have too much fun!” and “See ya later alligator.”

Harry is survived by his wife of 45 years, Anita; daughter Kelly A. (Kelly J.) Cromer; son Jimmy (Shantelle) Beach; grandchildren Morgan and Jacob Beach and Kayla, Kylee and Karson Cromer; siblings Barb (Bob) Horvath and Bruce Beach; sisters-in-law Betty (Ken) Muirhead, Diane (Jody Lansberry) Slone and Sally (Mark) Swartz; and brother-in-law Tom Brosnan II.

He was preceded in death by his sisters, Bonnie Kiggins and Diane Guntle; foster parents Chancey and Ludie Stockwell; in-laws Tom and Maxine (Kidman) Brosnan; sisters-in-law Clara Reybuck, JoAnn Sampley and Peggy Brosnan; and brother-in-law Ronnie D. Slone.