J. Walter Beatty, 82, of DeGraff, died at 8:29 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 5, 2004, at Mary Rutan Hospital.
Born on March 8, 1922, in Stokes Township near Lakeview, he was a son of the late W. Howard and Minnie M. Skeen Beatty.
He married Louise Strayer on Jan. 21, 1945, in DeGraff, and she survives along with two daughters, Connie Beatty of DeGraff and Jeanne (John) Stout of Belle Center; two sons, Robert (Tina) Beatty and Jerry (Vivian) Beatty both of DeGraff; one brother, Charles L. (Margaret) Beatty of Bellefontaine; one sister, Grace (Hubert) Kauffman of Bellefontaine; five grandchildren, Greg, Kevin and Eric Beatty and Jessica and Jacob Stout; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by three infant siblings; one sister, Madie May Osborn and two brothers, Paul Beatty and William Howard Beatty, Jr.
A 1940 graduate of DeGraff High School and a retired dairy farmer, he had resided on the Pool farm east, of DeGraff, since he was 10 years old. He moved to his current residence in 1998. He was a member of the DeGraff United Methodist Church since he was a young man. He also was a member of the Miami Grange 2158 for 68 years.
The family will receive friends Sunday, August 8, 2004 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at the Rexer-Riggin-Madden Funeral Home, DeGraff, where the funeral service begins at 2 p.m. Monday. The Rev. Terry G. Washburn officiates and burial is in the Greenwood-Union Cemetery, DeGraff.
The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Riverside E.M.S., the American Heart Association or the DeGraff United Methodist Church Building Fund.
