MARK EDWARD BEEGLE

Mark Edward Beegle, 60, not of this world but rooted in Alpena, fell into the arms of Jesus on Feb. 15, 2025, in his private luxury suite at Medilodge in Alpena. He was surrounded by some of his favorites and not-so-favorites but tolerated them because he had no choice.

Mark fell into this world on March 26, 1964, and continued trying to defy gravity until the day his body was done “shaking” things up here on earth and decided he needed to go to his real home. Mark knew the important things in life, even though some noticed that when the good Lord made him, He got the size of his heart and brain mixed up! From a young age, he loved animals, adventure, family, and friends, but above all, he loved the Lord! That was fortunate for many reasons, especially since Mark fell and hit his head often… you knew the Lord gave him more grace than the average human!

Mark held many jobs in his lifetime! He worked hard at everything he did and could turn any job into some kind of shenanigan. During his farming days, he climbed trees, hung and swung on things he shouldn’t, and brought in friends to help so he could laugh at them getting “drenched” by cows. He loved every minute!

In June of ’94, he sought a new adventure and got hired as a Seaman for the Interlake Steamship boats. His first and last boat he sailed on was the Lee A. Tregurtha. He started as an Ordinary Seaman and ended as an Able Seaman after almost 15 years. We were proud that after all that time he was finally “Able.” He had to step away after a rude diagnosis of Parkinson’s.

Mark always had a little extra pep in his step, a kind of swagger that some of his kids and grandkids were fond of and some definitely have. Mark was like a pair of jumper cables, always trying to start something! If it was going to make someone laugh, he would do it. He “colored out of the lines” but wanted everyone to do the right thing. He encouraged all and gave the world his all right up until the very end.

Most who knew him couldn’t help but love him, and if you didn’t get to… I’m sorry you missed meeting a man who broke God’s mold!

Mark had many loves. He was not a singer, but he sang; not a painter, but he got paint all over! He carved for many years and loved blessing his family and friends with gifts made from wood he found in his adventures. He loved mountain climbing, hiking, and telling a good dirty joke every now and then. Even though his body fought against him, he pushed on because no disease was going to tell him “NO!” He was Mark Beegle, and he was going to do what he wanted! Good thing he had Jesus.

The thing he was most proud of was his role as a father and PAPA! He loved his 4 children and 10 grandchildren more than life itself. They kept the spark in his heart! If he wasn’t chasing them and knocking out his teeth, he was trying to make them smile any way he could. His many BINGO winnings went to them and his art. He could say nothing and make them laugh! It could have been his many facial expressions or the fact that his unruly eyebrows were poking them. He was a bright light in this world!

He was a praying man and prayed for his family until he could no longer. His final laugh on earth was Feb. 14, which is no surprise–the man with the biggest heart stopped laughing on that cheezy holiday evening.

He left behind his feisty children, Janet (Matthew) Winter, Michael Beegle, Rachel (Seth) Quantz, Declan (Kaylyn) Sackett-Beegle, and 10 grandchildren who will carry on their Papa’s legacy of faith, family, and laughter! His brothers Jon Beegle Sr. and Philip Garrett, and his “blonde” sister Susie Lewis, and many more also survive him.

Mark used to say, the thing about cemeteries is that most people are dying to get in! But he was not one of them! He wanted to be out in the mountains, the lakes, enjoying God’s creation! So we will be celebrating his greatest adventure with a service and lunch to celebrate the gift God gave: Mark Edward Beegle!

Visitation will be held Saturday, March 8, 2025, at McWilliams Funeral Home from 10 a.m. until the service at noon with Pastor Brendan Maroney officiating. Online condolences can be made at www.mcwilliamsfm.com.