Marshall Beachler

Marshall Beachler was born to John Webster Beachler and Barbara Lee (Wolfe) Beachler on December 6, 1956. In high school in Logansport, he was in Key Club, played the lead in Oklahoma!, and was on the swim team. A naturally talented vocalist, he was also in the swing choir and had the privilege of travelling to perform for the National School Board Committee. Marshall held various jobs over the next 40 years: ranch hand, grain grader, fitness center manager, vintage vehicle restorer, and finally, the Attractions Maintenance Manager at the Kalamazoo Air Zoo. Upon retirement he kept bees full time. Marshall could do so much more than the average person. He had a unique knack for figuring out the best method for doing any task. He was a great cook, an avid swimmer and bicyclist, and a man of profound, calm faith. Marshall married Cindy Robbins on June 24, 1978 and had two boys who were the joys of his life, Zac (Sara) and Lucas (Nick). After Cindy passed in the fall of 2008, Marshall unexpectedly found love again in a widow, Charlotte Hubbard. They met in January 2011 and married that October. They spent the years together deeply in love, traveling, singing, walking in the woods, keeping bees, watching sunsets, swimming, giggling, and taking care of their beloved children and grandchildren. Marshall answered every home repair question and every 2 a.m. phone call, and he somehow always knew where everyone had left their car keys. He taught us that all of those "Dad" TV stereotypes could be true - changing our filters, adding air to our tires, and showing us that a blow torch is a handy tool to have. Marshall was preceded in death by his parents, as well as brother-in-law Dennis Hay. He is survived by siblings John W. Beachler (Nancy), Debanney D. Hay, Stephen P. Beachler (Marsha), and Kristine K. Hite (Ron), many nieces and nephews: Scott Hite, Jenny Beachler, Melissa Hay, Beth Brown, Kyle Hite, Matthew Hite, and David Beachler, and beloved grand-nieces and grand-nephews. He is survived by his sons, stepchildren Jessica (Jacob) Stetson, Benjamin (Kristen) Sonday, and Becca Sonday, and grandchildren Thomas Stetson, Hudson, Bennett, and Nolan Beachler, and Nicolas Sonday. Dr. Linda Hubbard and Jim, Samantha, and Sydney Sonday occupied a special place in his life. Grand dogs Clover and Jorts were also near and dear to him. Marshall Beachler died unexpectedly on March 21, 2021, of an illness unrelated to Covid-19. He loved God, his grandchildren, bicycles, the rest of his family, and bees, in that order. Words cannot express our grief or how deeply dear to us he was. In Lieu of flowers, Donations can be made to Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes, the Shepherd’s Center of Greater Kalamazoo (Marshall loved driving for them), or Openroadsbike.org. To his many friends and family, we thank you for being part of his life.