Milton Beyeler

Milton John Beyeler passed away May 11, 2021 at Lifecare Hospice at the age of 88, after a hard fought, 15-year battle, with Parkinson’s Disease. He was the 5th of 12 living children born to Lester and Edna Zimmerly Beyeler.

He found great comfort in the love and support of his large family and had great memories of ball games on the side lawn with his 6 brothers, often joined in by neighbors, friends, and relatives. He graduated from Norwayne High School and attended Hesston College for one year before he was drafted. He chose to serve his country during WWII in Civilian Public Service, doing dairy milk testing in Lancaster, PA.

In 1956, he married Jeanette Yvonne Miller. Together, they shared 65 years of marriage and raised 5 children.

Milton worked for B.F. Goodrich and Babcock and Wilcox before following his passion into farming. He spent most of his life as a Dairy Herd Improvement Administrator, Artificial Inseminator, and dairy farmer. He had a great interest and knowledge of the genetics of the Holstein Friesian Association. He loved nothing more than the pursuit of a good cow or bull.

Later in life Milton drove expedited loads for First Roberts Express and FedEx Custom Critical, maintaining an accident-free record. Milton was a man of integrity and generosity and had a special place in his heart for the less fortunate. He had a unique sense of humor, was a very opinionated, independent thinker, and loved a good debate or challenge. He focused on the “big picture” in life, not the details. He loved people, a good book, good cattle, slinging hay bales, family vacations at Lakeside, Sunday night Rook games, Neil Diamond’s top hits at full volume, roads less traveled, and America and the freedom it afforded all.

He had many favorite sayings in life including, “If things were any better, I couldn’t stand it,” and “Some you win and some you lose” and the quote below by Jim Elliott. Milton was a member of Oak Grove Mennonite Church.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by 5 children; Janel (Peter) Kaufman of Fonda, IA, Jackie (Bill) Buckwalter, Scott Beyeler, and Kelli (Petr) Janousek all of Wooster, and Jennifer Haughey of Indianapolis, IN; 11 grandchildren, Seth (Betsy) Buckwalter, Joanna Buckwalter, Jacob Buckwalter, Mollie Buckwalter, and Mitchell Buckwalter, Zachary Kaufman, Aaron (April) Kaufman, and Katie (Derek) Ketelsen, Andrew Haughey, Will Haughey, and Christian Haughey. 10 great grandchildren, 4 brothers; Bob and Dr. Julia (Rohrer) Beyeler, IN, Ivan and Ramona (Kreider) Beyeler, IN, Les and Delores (Williams) Beyeler, Orrville, and Marion and Jane (Smucker) Beyeler, Dalton; 5 sisters Esther Gray, CA, Elizabeth Jacobs and Eunice Brenneman, IN, Eloise and Dr. Bob Hostelter, VA, Elaine and Dr. Wayne Hershberger, PA, sister in laws Rita (Frey) Beyeler, AZ, and Shirley (Mack) Beyeler of Polk. Milton was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers Glenard, Lowell, and James (who died in infancy), and brothers in law Larry Gray, Dr. Merle Jacobs, and Merle Brenneman.

A special thanks to Elvin Mast, Milton’s first cousin, who faithfully visited him every Sunday, and to Lifecare Hospice for their care.

A Celebration of Life services will be held Saturday, May 22 at Oak Grove Mennonite Church.  Family will receive friends from 3 to 4 pm, with the service beginning at 4pm. Roberts Funeral Home – Sherwood Chapel, Wooster is assisting with arrangements. Online tributes may be made at www.robertsfuneralhome.com.

“He is no fool to give what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose” – Jim Elliott.