Melvin Berkley Beam Jr.

Melvin Berkley Beam, Jr., age 82 of Grandville, Michigan, walked into the arms of Jesus on Thursday, May 15, 2025, after a six-month battle with mesothelioma. He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Cathy; his children and their spouses Rebecca (Beam) and Douglas Mohrmann, Joel and Shelby (Gleason) Beam, and Emily (Beam) and Troy DeVlieger. He leaves a legacy through his grandchildren Alyssa Kleinbrink, John Kleinbrink, Caleb Beam, Isaac Beam, Eli DeVlieger, as well as Barbara, Joshua, and Timothy Mohrmann. Those left to mourn him include his sister, Denise, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Melvin was born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, on June 16, 1942. A quiet man with a strong work ethic, Melvin wanted his career to be in the Air Force, but God had other plans. Following an honorable discharge after bootcamp for medical reasons, he started working for Bethlehem Steel in Johnstown, PA, where he worked for over 10 years. He met and married the love of his life in March of 1970. After the horrendous Johnstown flood of 1977, Melvin made the difficult decision to look for work in Michigan to support his family when the auto industry was booming. First at Reynolds Metals, and then later at Haworth, Inc., Melvin honed the skills of working with his hands by running a CNC router, making office furniture until he retired in 2006.

Never one to be idle and an avid outdoorsman, Melvin loved working the land, which included planting vegetable gardens and flower beds, landscaping, and mowing. His love for camping, hunting, and fishing has been passed down to his children and grandchildren, with whom he loved spending time. But more than his love for his family and the outdoors, Melvin had a strong faith in his Savior, always thanking God for the sacrifice of his son. Never wavering, he was steadfast to the end. He was preceded in death by his parents Melvin Berkley Beam Sr. and Ruth McCollum Beam, and his brothers Harry and Frank Beam.

Donations in his memory may be made to Grandville Baptist Church missions.

Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Monday, May 19, 2025 at Grandville Baptist Church, 4325 40th St. SW, Grandville, MI 49418, with visitation from 10-11 a.m. prior to service. Pastor Justin Guess will officiate. The family welcomes memories and messages at www.cookcaresgrandville.com in their guestbook online.