Howard T. Beekman

Howard T. Beekman, age 64, of Coldwater, Michigan, formerly of Angola, Indiana, passed away July 18, 2014 at Parkview Regional Medical Hospital of Fort Wayne, Indiana, due to complications from a truck accident. He was born in Angola on July 23, 1949, the son of Robert Arthur and Beverly (McCombs) Beekman. Howard graduated from Angola High School in 1968. While helping his father with the family business, Shorty’s Sewer Service in Angola, he also attended Tri-State College in Angola. In 1970 he joined the United States Army, serving for 23 years, and he retired in 1993. He then came home and helped his mother with the family business, Shorty’s Sewer Service, Inc., and he became sole owner in 1997. Howard married Luanne Boocher on May 14, 1971 in Fremont, Indiana. Howard’s hobbies included, antiquing, bucket making (Coopering), Tin Smithing, broom making, traveling, reading, going to movies, cooking, making candy, ice cream, and soups, and he enjoyed playing Castle Age on facebook, and he loved his family very much. He was a member of the Coldwater Lake Association, and was a former member of the Lions Club in Dakota City, Iowa. Survivors include his wife, Luanne Beekman of Coldwater, MI., his mother, Beverly Beekman of Angola, IN., a son, Joseph Allen & Sharon Louise Booth of Sarasota, FL., two daughters, Katrina M. & Jayson Baird of Rosemount, MN., and Kasandra Amanda Beekman and her fiancée Clifford Wayne Jones of North Port, FL, six grandchildren, Tyler Stahl, Drew Booth, Claudia Baird, Noah Baird, Howard Jones, and Xavier Jones, two great-grandchildren, Evan Stahl and Keegan Booth, and two sisters, Becky & Frank Turner of Wellington, FL., and Bobbie Strabbing & Duane Shutt of Bloomington, IN. He was preceded in death by his father Robert Arthur Beekman. Calling hours will be 2 to 4 pm and 6 to 8 pm Tuesday July 22, 2014 at Beams Funeral Home of Fremont, Indiana. Funeral Services will be held at 11 am Wednesday July 23, 2014 at The Assembly Of God Church, 1405 North Williams Street, Angola, Indiana, with Pastor Ronald Moore officiating. Burial will be at Greenlawn Cemetery, Orland, Indiana, with military honors conducted by members of the Angola American Legion. Memorials may be made to Assembly Of God Church, Angola, IN., Orland American Legion, Angola American Legion, or to the Coldwater Lake Association.