John Michael Beyer, Jr. went to Heaven on Wednesday, September 29th, just 2 weeks shy of his 96th birthday. His wife of 67 years, Geraldine, was by his side when he passed.

John was born in Woodburn, Oregon on October 12th, 1925, the second son of John and Mary (Weinacht) Beyer. The family would eventually grow to 10 children. Just down the road, he and his siblings attended the one-room McKee School. One of the early formative events in John's life was the sudden death of his mother Mary when he was just 14 years old. Her death brought the family very close, and they spent many hours working and playing together. One of their favorite past-times was playing ball, and baseball/softball became a lifelong love of his.

John and his brothers attended Mt. Angel Preparatory School on the Abbey Hill in Mt. Angel.

John was drafted into the Service during WWII when he was 18 years old. When his father took him to the reporting office in Portland, John was told by the officer, "SON, you look like a MARINE!". He reported for training at Camp Pendleton, California and then was shipped off to the South Pacific where he served on the island of Peleliu. He served until the War ended in 1945 and then returned home. Later in life he became very interested in the history of the conflict on Peleliu, reading several books multiple times.

After the war, John returned to life on the family farm outside of Woodburn and took a job at the Farmer's Warehouse in Mt. Angel. He returned to his love of baseball and later softball and played on multiple local teams. He and his brothers enjoyed many hours playing ball together and many years later, John could still hit a long ball over the fence at Ebner Park.

When John was working at the Farmer's Warehouse, he met a sweet little bookkeeper by the name of Geraldine Ann Traeger. John asked "Gerry" to dance at a Thursday Night Dance and their engagement and marriage soon followed. They wed at St. Mary Catholic Church on Labor Day 1954. They started their married life in Mt. Angel and then, in 1960, settled to their family farm just outside of Mt. Angel. There they raised 7 children. John and Gerry's home was a regular center of activity with plenty of farm work, fun times and large family gatherings.

John worked for 26 years as a heavy equipment operator at Santiam Sand and Gravel. He travelled to work in the early morning, returned home at the end of the day, changed his clothes, ate an early dinner and farmed into the evening. He took tremendous pride in his farm and crops and always kept his berry rows straight and clean. His work ethic was second to none.

In the mid-1970's he began a second career as a field representative for Flavorland Foods. He retired from that job at the age of 72. This was a God-given opportunity that allowed John to use his talents as a farmer and share his knowledge with other growers.

The Catholic Church and parish life at St. Mary was a center of John and Gerry's lives. Besides raising their family in the Church, John helped in many roles over the years including work on the parish center, and serving many years as a Eucharistic Minister.

After retirement he prided himself on his beautiful garden, a well-manicured yard and the many activities and accomplishments of his Grandchildren. He loved and attended daily mass at St. Mary's.

At the time of John's death, he and Gerry had just celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary. Theirs was a beautiful relationship that many of their family and friends have maintained as an example of "the perfect love story".

John will be remembered by his children, grandchildren and extended family as a strong, quiet, hardworking, humble and faithful man.

In addition to his wife and 7 children; Ruth, Ron (Laura), Doug (Deana), Kathy (Jack) Belleque, Janet (Scott) Sanders, Joan (Greg) Puckett and Lisa (Dave) Holt, 27 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren, John is survived by his brothers, Walt (Sublimity), Fritz (Salem), Jim (Lebanon) and his sister, Margaret (Salem).

John was preceded in death by his parents, John and Mary Beyer, his brothers; Joe, Ernie, Quin and Carl, his sister, Maryanne and his grandson Michael.

Although John's presence on earth will be greatly missed, it gives his family comfort that he is at peace with the Lord in Heaven and surrounded by loved ones.

A Rosary will be held at St. Mary Catholic Church, Mt Angel on Sunday evening at 6 pm. The funeral Mass will be on Monday, October 4th, at 11 am. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial gifts be made to St. Mary Catholic Church, Mt. Angel, Oregon.