John Albert Beyer Jr.

Born November 18, 1930 to Elizabeth and John, John grew up in Mount Oliver, Pennsylvania with his brother Robert (Bob) playing baseball and softball, and was affectionately referred to as “Sonny” in the presence of his family.

John came of age in the shadow of World War II and was drafted in the army after completing his studies. He was stationed in post-war Germany, where he had the opportunity to tour the European continent, frequently sending letters and postcards back home to loved ones. Chiefly, his correspondence focused on his bride-to-be, the great love of his life, Barbara Schwoerer. “My wife is the best decision I ever made,” John would say in his later years.

John and Barbara were wed before the eyes of God and family upon his return to the States. They soon chose to start a family raised with the same dedication to the Catholic faith that so bonded them together. The couple moved to Whitehall before relocating to their home in Brownsville, a house that would sustain generations of Beyers to come.

John watched his family blossom in that house. He was happy and content walking behind his Gravely tractor cutting his six acres of grass and working his garden joined by his seven children. He instilled the importance of family through group chores and the annual family vacation when he would squeeze all nine family members into a station wagon pulling a pop up camper. He witnessed his children come of age, setting the example to have a core belief in God and family. He returned his commitment to the church by becoming a prominent member of Saint Agnes Catholic Church, in Richeyville where he served as a lector, Eucharistic minister and dedicated volunteer for the annual fish fry. He and Barbara also selflessly volunteered for Meals on Wheels delivering meals with grandchildren in tow.

John attended Duquesne University, in Pittsburgh, where he earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in education, and the University of South Carolina, where he earned a Master’s degree in mathematics. He became a teacher at Peters Township High School where he became one of the earliest calculus teachers in Pennsylvania public high schools. John would later become a professor at California State Teachers College (now California University of Pennsylvania) where he taught for over thirty years until he retired.

He is survived by six of his seven children David, Michael, Eric, Karl, Kathy, and Stephen; five daughters-in-law Cindy, Teresa, Erin, Cheri and Colleen; one son-in-law Daniel; thirteen grandchildren Joshua (Madeleine), Ross (Christina), Brittany, Andrew (Janet), Leah, Nicholas, Tyler (Maddie), Jeremy, Ryan, Emily, Jonathan, Katherine and Sydney; four great-grandchildren Scout, Murphy, Morgan, and Collins; brother Robert (Bob), sister in law and brother-in-law, Martha and Al Hasis and too many nieces and

nephews (and grandnieces and grandnephews) to name. Most importantly, he is survived by his wife, Barbara.

John was the ideal son, brother, husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. We are brought a sense of comfort that father and son are at long last reunited once more. John was welcomed into Heaven by his beloved son Paul, who predeceased him nearly ten years ago. As we, the family of John Beyer, embark upon the remainder of our lives, we will remember the example he set in the most trying of times. As John passed on his love of sports to his sons, we find comfort in knowing that looking down on us are Paul and John and they do so while cheering on the various Pittsburgh sports teams. In time, we will gladly join them. Until then, we will share their spirit and our wonderful memories whenever we are together at our annual family gatherings.

A visitation for John will be held Friday, May 30, 2025 from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM at McEwen Funeral Service-Mint Hill Chapel, 7428 Matthews-Mint Hill Road, Charlotte, NC 28227. A funeral mass will occur Saturday, May 31, 2025 at 11:00 AM at St. Luke Catholic Church, 9800 Fairview Road, Mint Hill, NC 28227. PLease visit St. Luke's website to view the service via LiveStream.