John Beebe

John Beebe, 57, of Kalamazoo, MI, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at the Bronson Trauma Center after suffering a head injury due to a fall.  He was surrounded by his loving family and friends.

John was born on October 11, 1967. Pat and Ron Beebe were blessed with the adoption of John into their lives on January 11, 1968. The minute John was in their arms he smiled and from that day forward, he charmed everyone he met. Growing up in Cheboygan, MI, John was always interested in fixing and repairing things. As a teen he developed an interest in auto repair and aviation, spending countless hours rebuilding jeeps in the family garage, often with friends gathering there on weekends. John was a pilot and flew N99SA, a Citabria floatplane, during his solo flight on Long Lake where he grew up. A Pilot friend of John’s, said that he was a great aviation mechanic and always kept the planes in the air. That is a big accomplishment in the aviation community.

John attended St. Mary’s Catholic Elementary School (now Bishop Baraga) and graduated from Cheboygan High School in 1985. John continued on to Lake State University and returned to Cheboygan where he opened an auto repair business. He then enrolled in an aviation engineering program, which brought him to the Kalamazoo area where he pursued many interests managing countless popular restaurants/lounges in South Haven and in Kalamazoo. John became a successful mortgage officer and recently received his real estate license and had just closed on his first two listings. During his time in Kalamazoo John was able to meet his birth mother Mikki along with his extended Nehra family. He was welcomed by new sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins and especially another set of grandparents. He discovered a deep sense of heritage and connection. Between Cheboygan and Kalamazoo, John enjoyed a busy life filled with work, family, great friends and neighbors. He will be greatly missed by all.

John was a natural helper, be it a car, lawnmower, boat or home project. He never hesitated to lend a hand. Aside from John the “mechanic” he had great compassion for others. He was a caregiver for his friend Nicholas and was there for countless others who visited and told their stories throughout the week that his family spent with him in the hospital. John was an organ donor, through his final act of generosity, John gave the gift of life to others, just as he gave his heart to everyone he knew.

John is survived by his mother, Pat Beebe; sister, Karen (Joel) Ross; niece, Allison (Kendall) Gross, and great-nephews Arlo and Leighton Gross. John is also survived by his birth mother, Mikki Leonard; sister, Kimberly (Mark) Dunn, nieces, Abigail, Allison and Noelle; Sister, Barbie (Rob) Loreto; nephews, Ethan and Brogan; Grandmother, Barbara Nehra; and countless aunts, uncles, cousins and Blakeslee the cat.

He was preceded in death by his father, Ron Beebe; grandparents, George and Monica Hinkley; grandmother, Elizabeth Beebe; grandfather, Backus Nehra; and by his special friend, Nicholas.

A funeral mass for John will take place at St. Mary/St. Charles Catholic Church in Cheboygan on Friday, June 27, 2025, with visitation beginning at 10:00 am and Mass following at 11:00 am Reverend Duane Wachowiak will officiate. There will be a luncheon after the service at the Cheboygan F.O.E (Eagles) Burial will take place at a later date.

Those wishing to make memorial donations may do so through John’s sister Karen Ross, (4495 Hiawatha Dr., Cheboygan Mi.) who will be coordinating contributions in his memory to benefit causes close to his heart. 

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