Raymond S. Beights MD

RAYMOND S. BEIGHTS, MD, 95, of Fort Wayne, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 12, 2013, at home surrounded by his loving family. Born July 19, 1917, in Kendallville, he was a son of the late LeRoy and Mary Beights. He graduated from Kendallville High School. He received his Master's Degree in Education from Indiana University in 1941. He started his teaching career in Porter County, Ind. in 1945 after serving in World War II as a B-24 Bomber Pilot where he flew 12 missions over Europe. He was a Purple Heart recipient. After the war, he continued his teaching career here in Fort Wayne, first at Franklin Elementary School and then at North Side High School as Choral Music Director until 1955. During this time, he also directed several choruses in Fort Wayne, including Parkview Nurses Chorus and Indiana Technical College Men's Chorus. He had his own T.V. program on WKJG-TV called Leisure Time for several years where he played the organ. He also had been the organist at Zion Lutheran Church at one time and was also the organist for the Embassy Page Organ. In 1955, he entered Pre-Med School at Indiana University and graduated from there in 1960. He served his residency at Ball Memorial Hospital and then opened his family practice in Fort Wayne in 1961 where he practiced until 1971 when he and other Doctor's started Parkview Emergency Physician's Group retiring from there in 1984. He was also president of Parkview Medical Staff from 1971 to 1972. He then served as Deputy Coroner until 1992 when he was elected Allen County Coroner until 1996. He continued as deputy coroner again until he retired in 1999. He also practiced at Redi-Med from 1983 to 1990. He had also served as a Medical Doctor for North American Van Lines at one time. Dr. Beights is survived by his children, Raymond Michael (Joellen) Beights, Stephen Robert (Nancy) Beights, Anne Elizabeth (Charles) Schwersky, Bettina Louise Burns, Martha Jeanne (Dr. Stanley) Young, and Jennifer Joy (Mark) Van Cleave; 14 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Jeanne on March 13, 2012; son, David Beights; and son-in-law, Gene Burns. Service is 11 a.m. Monday, March 18, 2013, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 1126 S. Barr St., with visitation one hour prior. The Rev. Richard Maassel officiating. Visitation also from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, March 17, 2013, at Hockemeyer & Miller Funeral Home, 6131 St. Joe Road. Burial in Concordia Cemetery Gardens. Memorials may be given to St. Paul's Lutheran Church Organ Fund; Concordia Theological Seminary Music Department; or Worship for Shut-Ins. Please visit www.hockemeyermillerfh.com