Joe Beer

Joseph “Joe” Jessop Beer, age 49, left this world unexpectedly on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, at his residence in Fort Wayne.

Formerly a resident of Kosciusko County, Joe was born and raised in Milford and was a 1994 graduate of Wawasee High School. He had a deep passion for the outdoors that was easily fostered by the beauty of his home area with its many lakes and vast outdoor spaces. Joe was at his happiest when he was camping, fishing, horseback riding or just sitting around a campfire with people he loved. He also had a gift for cooking and would cook around his campfires, on a grill, in the kitchen or in his family’s concession stands as he helped his grandma make her famous butterscotch corn in his younger years.

Joe obtained his commercial driver’s license at a very young age, immediately out of high school, on his first attempt, which was something he took great pride in and that he used as his livelihood throughout the remainder of his life. He and his father became exceedingly close as they worked side by side at the Kosciusko County Highway Department for many years. Once he stopped driving, he used those same skills to teach courses to others attempting to obtain their CDL licenses, which was a job he much enjoyed.

Joe is survived by his daughters, Alexis Dziatcak and Madison Beer, both of Michigan; his mother, Deborah Beer, of Syracuse; two brothers, Jared (Rebecca) Beer, Syracuse, and Cameron (Michelle) Beer, Indianapolis; a sister, Candace (Jeffrey) Adams, of Wooster, Ohio; as well as many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his father, James Beer; his brother, James Beer II; as well as his grandparents, Donald and Ruth Beer, and Lois McMillen.

A funeral service will take place at 2 p.m. Monday, June 17, at Milford First Brethren Church, 110 W. Catherine St., Milford, with a private interment to take place at a later date. Pastor Lee Compson will preside.