James A. Beeler
James A. Beeler, 66, of Warsaw, passed away at 5:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2015, in his residence.
On Nov. 15, 1948, he was born in Kirksville, Mo., to Lowell E. and Autharine (Burgher) Beeler. He was united in marriage to Nancy Lee Brooks on June, 8, 1968, in Sophia, N.C., who survives.
While serving as minister, James has lived in several other states, until moving to Warsaw, Indiana in 2002. He received his master’s degree in biblical studies and was a member of Warsaw Wesleyan Church.
The FBI in the Charlotte, N.C., Division Office employed him for two years; and he served as a pastor for 34 years in the Evangelical Methodist Church and the Missionary Church. During those years as pastor, he also served as police chaplain/officer for 13 years with the East Ridge, Tennessee Police Department. In addition, he served the Chattanooga, Tenn., and Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department during the same period, ministering to over 800 officers and administrative staff. He served as chaplain for six months, two days a week at the Knoxville, Tenn., World’s Fair, making many friends from all over the world. James served as chaplain for the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department since 2004; he served as District Superintendent of the Southern District of the Evangelical Methodist Church for five years; he served as vice president for student services for three years, at Barclay College in Haviland, Kan., and he worked as a guard at the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department Work Release since March of 2012.
James is survived by his wife: Nancy Beeler, Warsaw; two daughters: Cheryl Lynn (Jeff) Williams, Goshen; Cynthia Ann (Bill) Johnson, Grand Island, Fla.; his son: Jeffrey Alan (Anna) Beeler, Warsaw; his mother: Autharine Beeler, Lancaster, Mo.; his sister: Nancy Kerby, Lancaster; and six grandchildren.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 2, in McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel, Warsaw, with Pastor Terry Powell officiating. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery, Warsaw. Visitation hours will be from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 1, at the funeral chapel.
Memorial contributions may be made to Samaritan’s Purse, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, N.C. 28607.
To sign the electronic guest register or leave online condolences, visit McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel’s website.