Beverly Patterson Miracle, 97, a 70-year resident of Fort Wayne, Indiana, died Tuesday, October 4, 2022, at his home. Born in Trosper, Kentucky, on April 19, 1925, he was one of 10 children and the son of John F. and Matilda (Baird) Miracle.
Bev graduated from Knox Central High School in Barbourville, Kentucky, with honors as class valedictorian. He attended Berea College, Berea, Kentucky, for one year before joining the U.S. Marine Corps from 1943 to 1946. He earned a CAA (now FAA) license and directed air traffic at the Marine Air Base, Cherry Point, N.C. He then attended the University of Kentucky, in Lexington, and received his BS degree in electrical engineering in 1950, graduating with "high distinction", #2 in his class of 400. He began his career with General Electric Co., in July of 1950, in Lynn, Massachusetts, and married Hope Mayhew on August 25th that same year. He and Hope relocated to Fort Wayne in 1952, joining GE's Medium Motor Division. Bev and Hope continued to reside in Fort Wayne and he retired from G.E. in 1989 after various design and marketing leadership positions. He was a member of Faith Baptist Church on Trier Road, the Masonic Lodge Maumee 725, Mizpah Shrine Foot Patrol, G.E. Quarter Century Club and was a licensed professional engineer in Indiana.
Bev is survived by loving daughter, Linda (Barry) Grabert of Grayslake, IL; and son, John F. Miracle III of Toronto, Canada. He is also survived by loving grandson, Barry (Katie) Grabert II; and four great-grandchildren, Brooklyn, Jackson, Madison, and Ashlyn. Surviving family members are Jesse B. Miracle of Temple, Texas, Mrs. Herman W. Miracle of Barbourville, Ky., and Betty J. King of Bonair, Va.; and many loving nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 69 years, Hope Mayhew Miracle, in November of 2019; brothers, John F. Jr., Herbert P. and Herman W. Miracle; and sisters, Jewel Syme, Martha B. Hill, Ruby Smith, and Charlene Vice.
A funeral service to honor Beverly's life and legacy will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 11, 2022, at D.O. McComb & Sons Maplewood Park Funeral Home, 4017 Maplecrest Road, Fort Wayne, with calling one hour prior. Pastor Andrew Walsh will be officiating. He will be laid to rest at Highland Park Cemetery, 2403 East Wallen Road, Fort Wayne.
Memorial donations in his honor may be sent to Faith Baptist Church, 6600 Trier Road, Fort Wayne, IN, 46815. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy for Bev's family may be shared at www.McCombandSons.com.
