John L. Beebe, 90, of Libby

John L. Beebe, 90, a longtime Libby resident, died peacefully at home Monday, April 15, 2013.  He was born July, 6 1922, in Eureka to Russell and Julia (Haitt) Beebe. John spent his early years in Eureka.  

His family moved often, and John attended many country schools including McGinnis Meadows, Plains and Polson.  At one time, the family lived in such a remote place that he was unable to get to school for two years. John attended high school in Libby where he completed the 11th grade.   He was drafted into the U.S. Army on Oct. 12, 1942.  

John fought in the Battle of the Bulge as well as in Germany where he was wounded and received the Purple Heart. He was honorably discharged January 1946 and returned to Libby where he purchased 80 acres.   

John went to work for the Forest Service where he built many roads, ran horse-drawn graders, packed supplies into area lookouts, and worked on trail crews.  

On March 3, 1950, he married Mabel Goyen in Libby. Shortly thereafter, they added another 240 acres to their ranch. In 1955, John took a job with J. Neils Lumber Co. and went right to work as foreman of the road crew. He retired from St. Regis in 1982. He was preceded in death by his son, Wayne.

John’s passion in life was his ranch south of Libby.  He spent more than 60 years working side-by-side with Mabel clearing the land and turning the forest into the ranch it is today. John also enjoyed working with his tractor and spent his 90th birthday cutting hay. 

Survivors include his wife Mabel Beebe of Libby; sons, Harry (Teri) Beebe and Ronald Beebe both of Libby; daughters, Joan Evans of Beaver, Wash.; Juanita Rose of Libby, and Charlotte (Mark) Morain of Libby; six grandchildren, Charlie (Colleen), Will (Peni), Brett (Jennifer), Amanda (Chris), Andy and Hannah; five great-grandchildren; one great- great-grandson; two brothers, Robert (Mary) Beebe of Lake Montezuma, Ariz., and Donald (Naomi) Beebe of Springfield, Mo.; and a sister Betty Kimber of Stockton, Calif. 

Services will be held at 11a.m. Friday, April 19, 2013, at Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Home Chapel, 422 W Second St. in Libby. Luncheon to follow at the VFW.