Miriam W. Beachy

Obituary for Miriam W. Beachy Miriam Weaver Beachy, 91, died Wednesday morning, Oct. 24, 2012. She was born July 15, 1921 in Goshen to Henry and Liza "Lizzie" (Markley) Weaver. She graduated from New Paris High School and attended Goshen College. On Aug. 29, 1942, she married John E. Beachy of Plain City, OH. Miriam together with her husband John, was a missionary to Bihar, India with Mennonite Board of Missions from 1948 to 1971. She helped establish an annual women's retreat in jungle camp, was involved in the pastors' training school and in 1966-67 Bihar famine relief. From 1971 to 1985 she worked first for Scottdale Mennonite Church and then Provident Bookstore in Scottdale, PA. After retiring to Sarasota, FL, she and John co-pastored at Emmanuel (Gainesville, FL.) Mennonite Church. In 1995 she moved back home to Goshen. In her interest for mission she served on the Board of Directors of MBM and on mission commissions of Scottdale (PA) Mennonite Church, Bahia Vista (FL) Mennonite Church, and College (Goshen)Mennonite Church. She enjoyed writing, edited a conference paper, was a writer for church periodicals, and mission news reporter. She was a retreat speaker and Bible study leader with particular interests in spiritual formation and the use of women's gifts in the church. Flowers and houseplants were a hobby as was reading, especially books on spirituality. She spent time regularly emailing her beloved children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She is survived by two daughters, Cheryl (David) Paulovich, Phoenix, AZ, and Lynette (Leon) Bauman, Goshen, IN; two sons, John Allen, DeKalb, IL; Kenton (Rhonda), London, OH; eleven grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband John; four sisters: Mabel Martin, Mary Risser, Anne Winters, Nora Hoffman; and two brothers, Carl and Aaron Weaver. Visitation will be from 12 to 2 p.m. Saturday at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home, Goshen. A burial service will follow at Violett Cemetery in Goshen. A memorial service will begin at 2 p.m. Sunday at College Mennonite Church, Goshen. The Rev. Pamela Yoder will officiate. Memorials may be directed to the International Student Ministry of the College Menn. Church or to College Menn. Church Outreach.