MARILYN BEYER

Marilyn Beyer passed away Sunday, April 6, 2025, at Medilodge of Greenview in Alpena, Michigan. She was 84 years old. She is survived by her husband, Delbert Beyer, her children Kim Nunneley and Brian Beyer of Gaylord and is also remembered by three grandchildren and one great grandchild. Her three brothers James Harris, Thomas Harris and John Harris and their spouses all live in and around Indianapolis, Indiana.

Marilyn grew up in the small town of Eaton, Indiana where she was both a cheerleader and drum majorette. She played clarinet and base-clarinet in the marching band and sort of put up with the piano. She delighted in playing basketball with her two older and one younger brother. Her greatest childhood feat was reaching the peak of the family’s barn and perching there, much to her mother’s dismay.

She went on to attend college at the Ball State Teacher’s College (later named Ball State University) where she majored in History and English. She met Delbert Beyer in her English class and the two were married on Sept. 9, 1961. Both went on to teach in Wabash Indiana and later moved to Alpena, Michigan in 1969.

Marilyn worked for the county library, driving the bookmobile as far as Petoskey. She delighted in illustrated children’s books and went on to volunteer at Wilson Elementary School. Under her guidance, kids learned the art of storytelling and frequently shared their work with younger children. She later returned to the classroom, teaching at both Thunder Bay Jr. High and Alpena Sr. High School.

What only some people know is that Marilyn began her battle with Multiple Sclerosis in the mid-1970s. Yet she would go on to snowshoe, walk and bike in the state forest of Indian Reserve Road, gradually decreasing her daily jaunts to trips around the acre-sized yard she and Delbert shared. She never allowed MS to define who she was, but rather adjusted to its increasing demands with a rare grace. During this time, she continued to knit, crafted her daughter Kim’s horse show clothing, and attend every baseball game her son played in.

Mom’s love of books meant the family house was always crowded with materials to read. From children’s fantasy books to biographies, from “light” romances to heavy history retellings, Marilyn was voracious. As her world began to be more circumspect, Del read to her for long periods each day. He recalls she never once complained. But she did stop cooking!

We hope you will stop by the Bannan Funeral Home on Saturday for memorial visitation from 10 a.m. until the memorial service at noon with Pastor Karen Bacon officiating.