Richard Ardell Beachy was born July 14, 1962, in Iowa City, Iowa, the son of Walter and Laurine (Miller) Beachy. He was united in marriage to Rhoda Miller on Sept. 15, 1984, at Salem Mennonite church.Growing up Richard attended Washington Township K-5th, Sharon Bethel 6-8th, and prior to online virtual school did mail-in American School 9-12th.Richard was a farmer at heart, a diligent woodworker, and most of all a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He was resourceful and efficient and enjoyed being outside on the farm working on various projects. In April 2023 Richard was diagnosed with MDS cancer and was determined to fight it for Rhoda and his family. He battled it well and then during a setback in the fall of 2023 it was discovered that he also had a heart issue and though it looked hopeless, he fought on. Rhoda was a faithful caregiver while working five days a week. Over the summer as he got weak, and into the fall and winter, his daughter Rosey would sit with him in the mornings at home and at the hospital while Rhoda worked. He was thankful to be at home for his last several days and got to celebrate Christmas early with the family before the Lord called him to his Glory home on Christmas morning from the comfort of his couch. From the beginning of his cancer journey, He prayed that this would be used for God’s honor and glory and felt that God told him He would use it for restoring relationships beyond Richard’s knowledge. Richard will be missed by many.He is survived by his wife: Rhoda of 39 years; five children: Rosey (Nate) Nisly of Wellman, Rolanda (Jared) Good of Virginia, Rylan (Katrina) Beachy of Kinross, Roshona of Wellman, and Rochelle (Braden) Gingerich of Kalona; nine grandchildren: (Rosey & Nate’s 4) Latasha, Ethan, Alex, and Jennica, (Rolanda & Jared’s 3) Jack, Addy, and Charli, (Rylan & Katrina’s) Zuriel, (Rochelle and Braden’s) Lincoln; his mother: Laurine Beachy; siblings: Marietta (James) Yoder of Kokomo, Mississippi, (Alice) Beachy of Kalona, Leah Belle (Paul) Stutzman of Olathe, Colorado, Cynthia (John Mark) Miller of Brashear, Missouri, Daryl (Rachel) Beachy, Kalona, Myrna (Nate) Byers of Booneville, Missouri, and Jolene Beachy of Kalona.
Preceded in death by his father: Walter Beachy; brother Willford Beachy of Kalona; and great-nephew: Tray Miller.Celebration of life service will be held 11:30 am Friday, Dec. 29, 2023, at Fairview Mennonite Church, rural Kalona. Private burial at Church of Brethren, South English. Visitation will be Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023, at Fairview Mennonite Church where the family will greet friends from 2:00 to 4:00 and 5:00 to 7:00. A general memorial fund has been established. Messages and tributes may be sent to the family at www.powellfunerahomes.com.Powell Funeral Home is caring for Richard and his family.
