Beverly Hargie

It is with great sadness that I am announcing the passing of Beverly Jean Hargie on December 11, 2024. Bev was born on July 13, 1941 in Kalamazoo, Michigan to Willard Wood and Hazel (Williams) Wood who have both pre- deceased her. She lived in Portage almost her entire life, graduating from Portage High School with the infamous class of 1959. She was so glad that she got to go to her 65th reunion this past August. She truly loved the many lifelong school mates who always kept in touch. 

Upon graduation, Bev worked at Harding's Market in Milwood where she met her future husband Richard Arlon Hargie. They were married on June 29, 1963, and embarked on a loving marriage filled with laughter, faith, joy, hope and happiness for 57 plus years before Richard's passing on November 10, 2020. They loved to travel spending many winters in Florida, cruises, and especially taking fall trips all over Michigan. 

Beverly volunteered for twenty years at the information desk at Bronson Hospital and worked for Senior Services as a home care aid. She belonged to two card groups and was a long-time member of the Portage Women’s Club of which she gained cherished lifelong friends. Bev was also a member of the Portage Senior Center. 

On December 30, 1970, Bev gave birth to her son Bruce who survives. Surviving also is her daughter Trisha (Jim) Lankerd whom she and Richard adopted in December of 1978. Also surviving are her granddaughter Cecily Guarisco, step grandson Brandon Lankerd, brother Don (Ruth) Wood of Indiana, brother Gary (Kathy) Wood of Schoolcraft, and sister Janet (Jeff) Stein of Ionia, as well as several special nieces, nephews, and cousins whom she loved dearly. 

Beverly was a woman of great faith and professed her Christian Faith and devotion. She was a member of Faith Reformed Church and later attended Oakland Drive Christian Church. She recently began singing songs every day to help her voice and lungs clear. It is appropriate that her last song was "There will be Peace in the Valley for Me". I know that everyone will miss her thank you notes, thinking of you cards and birthday wishes. We know that she cared for all of us and always thought of others even when she was going through the many physical challenges she courageously faced without complaint. We cherish the life of our " Friendly Bev".

Visit with family and friends on Thursday, December 19 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Avink, McCowen & Secord Funeral Home; 5975 Lovers Lane in Portage 269 344-5600. A committal service will be held at Ft. Custer National Cemetery on Thursday, December 19 at 2:00 p.m.

Memorial donations may be made in Bev’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at https://www.stjude.org/

While visiting Bev’s webpage at www.amsfuneralhomes.com please sign the guestbook and/or share a memory with the family.