Joanne H. Beyrle

The decade of the 1920s was one of optimism and energy, and Dee H. and Annazine (Hoover) Hollowell of Syracuse, New York, had reason for excitement when they learned that they would soon be welcoming a second child into their family. On March 17, 1925, little JoAnne joined her five-year-old sister, Betty, adding her own special traits and sweet shyness to the family mix. JoAnne's father provided for them by working in aviation sales and her mother managed the household. They moved often, spending time in Texas and Kansas where JoAnne developed a charming southern accent that later became a source of embarrassment for her. They also moved back to New York, then to Indiana before finally settling in Muskegon, Michigan, where her father got a job with Continental Motors. JoAnne's mother set an example of community involvement by volunteering with the Chamber of Commerce and Goodwill, a quality that JoAnne would later adopt for herself. JoAnne began attending Milwaukee Downer Girls School where she graduated from high school. She then returned to Muskegon and found a job as a secretary at Continental Motors. One evening, JoAnne's social sister Betty talked her into going out to the Cottage Inn where she met a young man who changed her life forever. Handsome Joe Beyrle was impressive in his military uniform, a veteran of World War II who had escaped from a German POW camp and served with a Russian tank division. He was declared dead upon his capture on D-Day and back home a funeral had been performed. After proving his identity to the American Embassy in Moscow, he was returned home to Muskegon a war hero, but also a young man smitten by a sweet young lady. They fell in love and were married a year later on September 14, 1946, at St. Joseph Catholic Church by the same priest who had performed his funeral. JoAnne and Joe established their first home in Lakeside on LeTarte Street and a couple of years later had their first child, Julie. Two sons followed, Joe II and John, and JoAnne was a loving, gentle mother. Described as a "Leave It to Beaver" mom, JoAnne was always there for them, welcoming them home from school with milk and cookies. She regularly read to them and the house was filled with the sounds of classical music and Broadway musicals. She was involved in all of the children's activities, helping out with the PTA and scouting organizations as well as in their classrooms. One episode was particularly memorable when she made some bourbon ball cookies and was horrified by a call from John's third garde teacher when he gave them to the class by mistake. In 1959, the Beyrles moved to a new home on Columbus in Norton Shores. The mortgage was one hundred dollars a month and JoAnne didn't know where they were going to get that kind of money. Joe was a hard worker and a good provider, though, working two jobs when necessary. When John entered junior high and was no longer coming home from school for lunch, JoAnne took a job at the Henry Street Meijer Store. Her eye for detail and organizational skills soon earned her the position of store secretary, and over the next twenty years she effectively broke in four different store managers. The Beyrles enjoyed spending time together and took many family trips, including an unforgettable visit to to the Smokey Mountains in a 1963 Studabaker. They also saw the opening of the Mackinac Bridge in 1957. In 1964, JoAnne and Joe made a trip to Europe which started an "Odyssey of Foreign Travel" that took them to five different continents over the years. Many of their trips were for Joe's 101st Airborne reunions. In later years, their son John, presently the U.S. Ambassador to Bulgaria, worked overseas for the State Department and JoAnne and Joe often visited him. JoAnne was an avid gardener and loved tending to her amazing flowers, but much of her time was spent helping others. She donated countless hours to several community organizations such as the Frauenthal Theatre, Hackley Hospital, Festival of the Trees, Friends of Norton Shores Library, Greater Muskegon Woman's Club, and The Community Foundation. Her greatest joy, however, came from her family. She was devoted to her parents and proud of her children's accomplishments, maintaining close relationships throughout the years. The family always enjoyed JoAnne's elaborate Christmas cookies, delicious holiday dinners, and much laughter. JoAnne was a generous and talented hostess, stating, "No table is too small," and welcoming any guest who was alone for the holidays. Always thoughtful, JoAnne faithfully called her family members on their birthdays and sang "Happy Birthday," often as a duet with Joe. Everyone who got to know Joanne came away impressed by her razor-sharp sense of humor and appreciation of the surprises and ironies that life holds in store. Even her last conversations in the emergencey room, just four days before her death, she observed that "everyone needs to serve a purpose in life...even if only as a bad example." In December of 2004, JoAnne endured the loss of her dear husband, Joe. She was lonely without him, and over time her arthritis and grief began to take its toll. Despite her own suffering, she never stopped looking out for the needs of others and leaves her loved ones with fond memories, the assurance of her unconditional love, and the example of a woman who always put others first. JoAnne died on Tuesday, September 12, 2006. Her husband Joe preceded her in death. She is survived by her children, Joseph (Kathy) Beyrle II of Howell, Michigan, John (Jocelyn Greene) Beyrle of Bulgaria, and Julie (Jack) Schugars of Muskegon; seven grandchildren, Amanda, Eric, Joseph III, Victoria, Christopher, Alison and Caroline; two great-grandchildren, Alex and Kennedy; and nephew, Dee (Linda) Tinney. Family and friends may visit JoAnne's loved ones on Friday, September 15, from 2-4 p.m. and from 6-8 p.m. at Clock Funeral Home - Muskegon. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 16, at 11:00 a.m. at Clock Chapel. She will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Beyrle-Hollowell Scholarship Fund or Hackley VNS Hospice. Please visit JoAnne's personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a favorite memory or photo, sign the online guest book, or view her Life Story film.