Benjamin F. Beyer

LOWVILLE-Benjamin F. Beyer, 91, of Rector Road, passed away on Wednesday February 12, 2025 at his home, under the loving care of his family and Lewis County Hospice. 

Benjamin F. Beyer, born April 3, 1933, Bennie was always proud of his given name as he was Benjamin Franklin Beyer!  He was one of 16 children born to Martha and Walter Beyer, one of three that were born at Lewis County Hospital.  The older siblings were born at home with a midwife.

Bennie attended District #11 country school on the Rector Road.  As Bennie grew up, he loved the fact that he was able to help his mom and dad on the family homestead on Rector Road.  He took pride in helping with the cows, taking the team of horses delivering milk to the milk plant, and taking the cows to the night pasture.  The older brothers had been drafted into the Army, so the younger children worked the farm with Bennie trying to keep Marie in line, and then would be reprimanded by his mom with the broom rather than Marie being reprimanded.  He told many stories about driving the team over fields in the winter when the snow was so deep the road wasn’t an option.

Bennie went to work at 16 at the Dadville Tree Nursery, working for Viola Powell, planting and pulling trees for the Department of Conservation, where he was introduced to Mary Jane Powell, his boss’ daughter.  Mary Jane and Bennie were married on November 10, 1957.  Living on the Rector Road, they operated the family dairy farm, purchasing it from his mom.  Mary Jane being a village girl, had not been farm material but, learned in a hurry how to milk a cow, put in hay, becoming a country girl to work beside her husband Bennie.  Starting in 1959, the first child Wendy was born, in 1961, Ricky, a son was born, in 1963, Karen was born, and Amy was born in 1966 as the four children were Bennie’s and Mary Jane’s family.

Bennie loved to move the earth’s soil.  He loved to make unprofitable land profitable.  The bulldozer was his love, clearing the earth, picking rock after plowing, discing and dragging with the help of his family and hired helpers.  Larry, when he was a helper, and worked with the family as another child.

Bennie loved to play cards, Euchre, poker with money on the table, it was a must.  If Dad had a good night winning at cards, he would be singing and whistling, but if he lost it wasn’t fun…really crabby.

In the early June of 1987, they lost the barn to fire.  But with the help of family and friends, the barn was built again in time to put hay up for the winter.

Bennie was always willing to help the neighbors with anything that was needed.  Through winter storms, microbursts, ice storms, he was always lending a hand.  The family worked together, and then as the children got married, the families would always lend a hand to milk the cows, pick rocks, put in hay, and mow the lawn, helping Bennie and Mary Jane to get things done.

The grandchildren came along, Mike and Megan.  “My Grampa Beyer is good to me.  We go four-wheeling together.  We go baling hay together with the tractor, baler and hay wagon.  Rick and Larry are up in the hay mow piling hay.”  The grandchildren were a big part of Bennie’s life.  They all shared many good barbeques by always having a hard day’s work and the pleasure of each other’s company.  The day wasn’t profitable if you didn’t have a plan and get something done.

Bennie was a past member of Elks Lodge 1605, and a member of the Marine Corps League.  He also has a book, Benjamin Beyer’s Memoir’s, available at the Martinsburg Free Library.

He is survived by his four children, Wendy and Mike Mahoney of Lowville; Ricky Beyer of Lowville; Karen and Mark Houppert of Lowville; Amy and Kevin Sullivan of Carthage; nine grandchildren, Mike, Megan, Becky, Matt, Stephen, Brian, Sara, Justin and Brittany; ten great-grandchildren, Ethan and Lexis Crouse, Kennedy Simon, Bryson and Waylon Houppert, Jamison and Ella Mulvaney, Layla Sullivan, Cameron Sullivan, and Hadley Nortz; hundreds of nieces, nephews and cousins.  He is predeceased by his beloved wife; and his 15 siblings, Martin, John, George, Walter Jr., Philip P. Beyer, Jennie Sullivan, Bertha Yancey, Dorothy Unkart, Clarabelle M. "Jeanette" Brown, Millie Nuffer, Vera Leviker, Martha Drelick, Loretta Peebles,  Irene Micek, and Marie Brown.

The funeral will be at 1:30 p.m. on Monday February 17, 2025 at Iseneker Funeral Home, Inc. with Rev. Bruce W. Chapman officiating.  A meal at Lewis County Marine Corps League will immediately follow the funeral. All are welcome. Calling hours will be from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Monday February 17, 2025 prior to the funeral service, at the funeral home.  Spring burial will be in West Lowville Rural Cemetery.  Contributions may be made to Friends of Lewis County Hospice, P.O. Box 266, Lowville, NY 13367 or to the Restoration of West Martinsburg United Methodist Church, In c/o Marcia Waligory, Rector Road, Lowville, NY 13367.

Thank you to everybody who helped our family in many ways during our dad’s final days.

Condolences may be made online at www.isenekerfuneralhome.com.

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