John L. Beebe, 90
John L. Beebe, 90, a longtime Libby resident, died peacefully at home Monday, April 15, 2013.
He was born July 6, 1922, in Eureka, to Russell and Julia (Haitt) Beebe. John spent his early years in Eureka. His family moved often and John attended many country schools, including McGinnis Meadows, Plains and Polson. At one time the family lived in such a remote place that he was unable to get to school for two years. John attended high school in Libby where he completed the 11th grade.
He was drafted into the United States Army on Oct. 12, 1942. John fought in the Battle of the Bulge, as well as in Germany where he was wounded and received the Purple Heart. He was honorably discharged January of 1946 and returned to Libby where he purchased 80 acres.
John went to work for the Forest Service where he built many roads, ran horse-drawn graders, packed supplies into area lookouts and worked on trail crews.
On March 3, 1950, he married Mable Goyen in Libby. Shortly thereafter, they added another 240 acres to their ranch. In 1955 John took a job with J. Neil's Lumber Company and went right to work as foreman of the road crew. He retired from St. Regis in 1982.
John's passion in life was his ranch south of Libby. He spent over 60 years working side by side with Mable clearing the land and turning the forest into the ranch it is today. John also enjoyed working with his tractor and spent his 90th birthday cutting hay.
He was preceded in death by his son, Wayne.
Survivors include his wife, Mable Beebe, of Libby; sons, Harry and Teri Beebe, and Ronald Beebe, all of Libby; daughters, Joan Evans of Beaver, Wash., Juanita Rose of Libby, and Charlotte and Mark Morain of Libby; six grandchildren, Charlie and Colleen, Will and Peni, Brett and Jennifer, Amanda and Chris, Andy, and Hannah; five great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; two brothers, Robert and Mary Beebe of Lake Montezuma, Ariz., and Donald and Naomi Beebe of Springfield, Mo.; and a sister, Betty Kimber, of Stockton, Calif.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 19, at Schnackenberg and Nelson Funeral Home Chapel, 422 W. Second St., in Libby. Luncheon will follow at the VFW.