Norma J. (Smith) Beguhl

Norma J. (Smith) Beguhl of Richland, MI




Norma, age 78, passed away Monday evening, August 24, 2015 at the Rose Arbor Hospice Residence of Kalamazoo, MI, following a courageous battle against pancreatic cancer, exactly 3 months to the day of the death of her beloved husband, Dean, who succumbed to the same malady.


Norma, the daughter of George B. and Mabel M. (Sterling) Smith, was born in Bradford, PA on February 18, 1937. She was a graduate of Gowanda (NY) High School and received her Bachelor of Arts in English from Roberts Wesleyan College where she met Dean. They retired to their log home in Richland in 2003.


Norma served many roles in her lifetime including teacher at Hilton (NY) high school and Wessington Springs (SD) High School and Junior College, wife and mother, pastor's wife in the Free Methodist Church, tax preparer for H&R Block, and Administrative Assistant and Assistant to the Registrar at Roberts Wesleyan College. In retirement she served as a Lay Speaker at the Gull Lake United Methodist Church and assisted families along with Dean at the Farley-Estes & Dowdle Funeral Home at their Augusta, Battle Creek and Richland Chapels.


Norma was united to her "college sweetheart" Dean D. Beguhl in Gowanda, NY on July 30, 1960 and he sadly preceded her in death on May 24, 2015 after 55 years of marriage. Surviving is her daughter, Lori J. (Stephen) Claussen of Richland; two sons, Peter J. Beguhl of Youngsville, NC and Kenneth L. (Janise) Beguhl of North Chili, NY; six precious grandchildren, Christopher Beguhl, Aaron Claussen, Keziah Claussen, Natalie Beguhl, Karissa Sampson and Karla Sampson; her sister, Ruth Worden of Shinglehouse, PA; two brothers, George Smith of Florence, SC and Tim Smith of Gowanda, NY and many nieces and nephews. Norma was also preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Patricia Abrams.


The Memorial Service to celebrate Norma's life will be held on Friday, September 4th at 11:00 a.m. at the Gull Lake United Methodist Church, 8640 Gull Road, Richland with the Rev. Dr. Mona K. Joslyn and Rev. Rebecca L. Wieringa, Pastor, co-officiating. Family and friends will continue Norma's life celebration with a time of fellowship and a luncheon in the Church 's Fellowship Hall immediately following the Memorial Service. Private, family interment next to her dear husband, Dean will be held in Prairie Home Cemetery, Richland. Norma's family will greet friends on Thursday, September 3rd from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Farley-Estes & Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Richland Chapel, 9170 East D Avenue (M-89). In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Norma's honor may be directed to the Gull Lake United Methodist Church or Relay for Life-Richland Chapter, 1400 W. Milham Road, Portage, MI 49024.