Philip Beardslee, 84
Dec. 13, 1928 — Nov. 13, 2013

Philip Beardslee of Bonita Springs, Fla., died on Nov. 13, at Joanne’s House at Hope Hospice in Bonita Springs after an illness. He was 84 years old.

He was born Dec. 13, 1928 in Cassopolis, the son of Richard and Vera (Kessler) Beardslee. Phil grew up in Cassopolis, graduated from Cassopolis High School and attended Michigan State University.

On Jan. 5, 1950 in South Bend, he married Patricia McLaughlin. The two were married for 55 years.

Phil was a retired Ford dealer, having owned Hayden-Beardslee Ford in Cassopolis for 40 years. He was a board member of Southwestern Michigan College in Dowagiac, the First National Bank of Cassopolis, Woodlands Behavioral Health in Cassopolis, a life member of the Masons and a life member of the Dowagiac Elks Club. He was also a member for over forty years of Orchard Hills Country Club in Buchanan and Bonita Bay Country Club in Florida.

Other than his family, Phil’s passion was golf, in which he achieved 13 holes-in one. He also loved fishing, playing blackjack, watching college football and basketball, and the Michigan State Spartans.

He is survived by his children: Billie Jean (Rick) Stephenson of Bonita Springs and Sandy (Mike) Richmond of Ft. Wayne, Ind.; nine grandchildren, Michael Mack, Philip Mack, Christopher Stephenson, Douglas Stephenson, Andrew Beardslee, Charlene Beardslee, Jacqueline Wilhite, Alexander Richmond, and Bradley Richmond and ten great-grandchildren, Caden Mack, Shelby Mack, Colin Mack, Emily Mack, Morgan Mack, Sadie Stephenson, Jackson Wilhite, Claire Wilhite, Makayla Richmond and Macy Richmond; and one brother, Roger Beardslee of Cassopolis.

Phil was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Patricia in August of 2005, his son John in January 2012 and a grandson, Chase Richmond in September of 2010.

A service of remembrance will be at 1 p.m. on Dec. 13 at the Cassopolis United Methodist Church. Friends may visit with the family from 11 a.m. until the 1 p.m. service time. Officiating will be Rev. Chuck VanLente, former pastor of the church, now of Grand Rapids.

The family requests that memorial donations be made to Joanne’s House at Hope Hospice, 27200 Imperial Parkway, Bonita Springs, Fla., 34135.

Arrangements are by the Paul E. Mayhew Funeral Home in Edwardsburg.