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Glenn Beier

August 25, 1949 - August 6, 2015
Otsego, MI

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Visitation

Tuesday, August 11, 2015
4:00 PM to 7:00 PM EDT
Plainwell Performing Arts Center
600 School Drive
Plainwell, MI 49080

Visitation

Wednesday, August 12, 2015
12:00 PM to 1:00 PM EDT
Plainwell Performing Arts Center
600 School Drive
Plainwell, MI 49080

Service

Wednesday, August 12, 2015
1:00 PM EDT
Plainwell Performing Arts Center
600 School Drive
Plainwell, MI 49080

Contributions


At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.

Glenn Beier Scholarship Fund
600 School Drive
Plainwell, MI 49080

Flowers


Below is the contact information for a florist recommended by the funeral home.

River Rose
(269) 692-3951

Plainwell Flowers
117 S. Main
Plainwell, MI 49080
(269) 685-8055
Driving Directions
Web Site

Life Story / Obituary


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A lover of life, Glenn Beier was an extraordinary man to know and love. He was never one to focus on the things he had, rather, his life was based on how he could serve those in the community he loved. Although Glenn treasured his roles as a husband and father, he just may have argued that being a grandpa was his greatest source of pride and joy. Highly respected by everyone who knew him, he was a man of honor and integrity whom everyone seemed to know. Although he will be deeply missed, Glenn leaves behind a priceless collection of memories that his loved ones will forever cherish.

During the first half of the 1940s, the eyes of our nation were focused overseas as WWII raged on. With the end of the war in 1945, American servicemen and women returned home, rationing became a thing of the past, and manufacturing was no longer needed to support the war effort. The baby boom was underway, and the new home market was buzzing as growing American families needed homes. Amidst this eventful time was the year 1949 when Harold and Eleanor (Kammer) Beier were eagerly anticipating the birth of their new baby as August dawned in St. Clair, Michigan. The big day finally arrived when the baby boy they named Glenn drew his first breath on August 25th. He was the oldest of three children and was raised alongside his siblings, Terry and Vicki.

In many ways Glenn was a typical young man of his generation. His father worked at a local salt factory while his mother worked at a flower shop. Glenn was active right from the start, and he kept busy playing baseball, basketball and tennis. In fact, he was quite a gifted tennis player as he was the number one seed in the state finals. Glenn attended St. Clair Schools, and served as senior class President. During the summer he worked in greenhouses and also at the same factory as his father.

After graduating from high school in 1967, Glenn went on to Oakland University where he played both basketball and tennis. He started teaching at Deckerville High School, which proved to be quite fateful as it was there that he met the young woman of his dreams. She was a fellow teacher who taught third grade named Delphine Lanctot, and their classrooms were separated by a courtyard. It was actually their colleagues who pushed them to officially meet one another. Glenn and Del finally had their first date and went to a movie. They began dating and soon found themselves deeply in love. With a desire to establish a life together, the sweethearts were married on August 11, 1973, in Port Sanilac, Michigan. Together they welcomed two children, Brett and Janene, into their hearts and home. It has been said that Glenn was the perfect father, and his kids always knew how deeply they were loved.

It was right after they were married that Glenn and his new wife moved to Plainwell. As the new coach, Head Coach Jack Streidl was clear that, honeymoon or not, Glenn had better not be late for their first meeting! For their honeymoon they drove to Plainwell, via Canada...and Glenn made it to practice on time. At Plainwell, he was very active at school in a variety of ways. Glenn was a teacher, counselor, athletic director, and coached football as well as varsity basketball, boys and girls tennis, girls cross country, girls track, and girls junior varsity basketball. With a desire to represent the sport well, Glenn spent countless hours maintaining the Plainwell cross country course. The course was a tremendous source of pride for Glenn, and was well known around the Wolverine Conference as the most challenging in the area. Additionally, he coached basketball at Kalamazoo College for two seasons, followed by a two year run as the first men's basketball coach at Nazareth College. In recognition of his accomplishments in coaching, Glenn was given the Wolverine Conference Distinguished Service Award and was inducted as a member of the Sages.

Over the years Glenn was a bustle of activity and a man of many interests. In the past decade some of his favorite times were spent watching his grandchildren grow and attending their events. He loved playing golf, and it was after 50 years of golfing that he got his first hole-in-one just this past July 26th while playing with his son, Brett, at Gull Lake View’s East Course on the second hole. For years, he maintained an impressive sports card and memorabilia collection, which even included owning a business in Plainwell. He loved playing cards with family and friends. This included trips to Gun Lake Casino, late night pinochle games with family, and weekly poker night with his friends. As a sports enthusiast, he was a longtime season ticket holder for the Detroit Tigers spring training. Glenn also liked listening to any kind of sports talk radio.

Described as kind, gentle, genuine, compassionate, and loving, Glenn Beier was a blessing to everyone he met. He was never one to worry about things like building wealth or gaining possessions, rather, his focus was on living fully in the moment while holding his loved ones near. Glenn lived a life of purpose and inspired countless others in the community he loved. He enjoyed so many things, but nothing was of greater value to Glenn than being a husband, father, and grandpa. A devoted family man and loyal friend, he will be forever missed.

Glenn H. Beier, of Otsego, died on Thursday, August 6, 2015. Glenn’s family includes his wife: Del; two children: Brett Beier, of Kalamazoo; Janene (Scott) Schroeder, of Allendale; three grandchildren: Alyssa, Mason, and Owen Schroeder; two siblings: Terry (Pam) Beier, of East China; Vicki (Mike) Holth, of Marysville; and several nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, from 4-7p.m. at the Plainwell Performing Arts Center, 600 School Drive, Plainwell. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday at 1 p.m. at the same location. Please visit Glenn’s webpage at www.lifestorynet.com where you can sign his guestbook and share a photo and/or memory. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to the Glenn Beier Scholarship Fund. The family is being assisted by the Life Story Funeral Home, 120 S. Woodhams, Plainwell (269-685-5881).

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