John R Beers

John R. "Butch" Beers, 85, of Cooperstown, passed away at 5:00 pm. at his residence on Tuesday, September 23rd.Born March 2, 1929, in Rocky Grove, John was the son of the late Willam S. and Anna Elizabeth Beer Beers, Sr.He married Melda Ileen Rosensteel on March 7, 1950, and she survives. They celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary in March.John attended Rocky Grove High School where he played basketball and pitched baseball. He also pitched baseball in junior leagues and county leagues. John was a Korean Air Force Veteran, having served from February 14, 1952, until February 13, 1956. While in the Air Force, he attended Jet Mechanic schools in Texas, Korea, and Japan. John was a fighter/bomber crew chief of F84's in Korea. He was stationed at McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey. John worked at Wean United in Youngstown, Ohio, and General Motors as a machinist/grinder and retired from Allison Transmission, a division of General Motors, in 1991 after working there for more than 14 years.John and his wife lived in the Cooperstown area after his retirement. He attended The Evangelistic Tabernacle in Cooperstown for many years. He was an extra class Ham radio operator #NK9J since 1977. John enjoyed hunting and fishing. He had wonderful family and friends, whom he enjoyed spending his time with. In addition to his wife, John is survived by his sister, Leola Neely of Franklin, and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by his brothers, Rev. Wilbur Beers and William Beers, Jr.; and his sisters, Esther Kightlinger and Vergena Ritchey.Family and friends of John will be received at the Gardinier Funeral Home, Inc., 1315 Chestnut Street, Franklin on Friday, September 26th from 4 to 8 p.m. and also from 10 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, September 27th at The Evangelistic Tabernacle in Cooperstown. Funeral services for John will be held at The Evangelistic Tabernacle on Saturday at 11 a.m following visitation, with Rev. Randy Ritchey (nephew) and Rev. Mark Fultz, officiating. Military honors will be accorded by the local V.E.T.S. Honor Guard. Interment will be in Cooperstown Cemetery. The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the Evangelistic Tabernacle in Cooperstown.To send online condolences, cards, flowers, or for further information, family and friends are invited to visit www.gardinierfuneralhome.com.