John Beese

John Fredrick Beese Jr. August 3, 1935 - August 23, 2015 John Fredrick Beese Jr., 80 passed away unexpectedly on August 23, 2015. He took great pride in the life he lived. He was born and died at the family home, Merestead Farms. John was preceded in death by his parents, John and Fredda Beese, his brothers Bill and Henry. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Lee and his four sons John Ivor (Jane) Beese, John F. (Heather) Beese III, Andrew (Melanie) and Matt (Laura) Beese and his grandchildren, Jonathon, Jacob, Emily, Lucy, Slade, John (Jack) IV, Ella, Evan and Taylor. John lived his entire life at Merestead Farms with the exception of his time at his beloved Alma Mater, Kenyon College and his time in Iceland as a member of the Air Force. His life was devoted and filled with a passion for farming, family, history and learning. In recent years he worked with the City of Green to help define the history of the area and took great joy in his farm's 200th anniversary and recognition as a historical landmark. John was also a proud inductee to the Kenyon College Hall of Fame. Those who knew John well would describe him as a loyal friend, an incredibly hard worker, a proud father and husband. He had a great ability to tell a joke and to pull a prank. His presence at family functions, local parties and at civic events will be sorely missed. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, August 27, 2015 at 2:00 PM at Merestead Farms, 486 East Turkeyfoot Lake Road Akron, Ohio 44319. The family will receive friends on Wednesday from 4-7 PM at Hummel Funeral Home, 500 East Exchange Street Akron, 44304. In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to The Thomas J. Edwards Scholarship Fund at Kenyon College, Gambier, OH 43022 or Stewart's Caring Place, 2955 West Market Street, Suite R Akron, Ohio 44333. .... 'And his gates are hanging straight'