Michael Beeman

Mr. Michael Beeman was born September 25, 1944 in Saginaw, Michigan, the son of Cullie and Gladys Roberson Beeman. He returned home to be with the Lord on June 19, 2020.

Michael was the eleventh child of twelve children and the eighth son out of eight boys. He attended Saginaw Public Schools and graduated from Saginaw High School, Class of 1963.

Michael started working at an early age. At the age of twelve years old, he picked beans and strawberries in the summer to purchase his school clothes. At the age of fifteen years, he graduated to picking cherries in the summer in Traverse City, Michigan. During the winter months, he worked at the bowling alley and the car wash. He saved his money and bought his first car from his father, a 1953 Dodge DeSoto.

As he got older, Michael held two jobs. He worked at the old Shopper’s Fair as a stock boy and at Saginaw General Hospital as a third shift orderly. His DeSoto gave out on him and with these two jobs, he was able to buy a 1955 Ford convertible from his boss.

In 1964, he started working at Baker Perkins in the machine shop as a hand truck operator. He was promoted to a machine operator until he was drafted in the United States Army in 1966. He was sent to Vietnam in December 1966, where he served as a squad leader for 3rd Battalion, 3rd Brigade and 9th Infantry Division until November 1967. He was honorably discharged from the Army in 1968.

Upon his return, his sister Yzella helped him get employed with General Motors Corporation. He started as a Level 3 print operator and worked his way up to a Level 5 Junior Engineer. Later, he was transferred to production as a Production Supervisor. In between jobs, Michael purchased the well known “Chet’s Bar.” Through Chet’s Bar, he sponsored several teams: baseball, softball, bowling, little league basketball and baseball teams.

Michael was a member of the Jaycees, where he served as the Build Clinic Chairman. With the support of General Motors, he helped eighteen young men build soap box derbys. In 1988, he was transferred to the General Motors plant in Danville, Illinois as a Production Supervisor. Soon after, he was promoted to a Maintenance Supervisor. After a few years, it was announced that the Danville plant would be closing. Michael interviewed and was hired at the General Motors Power Train Transmission plant in Warren, Michigan. Within two years, he was promoted to General Foreman over Skill Trades.

After 38½ years, Michael retired from General Motors. He was a past member of the Saginaw Elks Lodge and a past Mason of the Order of the Eastern Star.

Michael knew God and loved God. He was a faithful member of New Greater Life International Ministries, Clinton Township, Michigan, under the leadership of Pastor Benny D. Miller. He served as head Deacon until he became ill. He always did work around the church, making sure the lawn was mowed every week, the snow removed, and maintenance repair work was done. He was always willing to help any member who needed assistance.

Michael was preceded in death by his parents, Cullie and Gladys Beeman; five brothers, Robert, Ozell, Hurley, Cullie and Leon; one sister, Yzella Dancy; niece, Lovetta Patterson-Garcia; and nephew, Timothy Beeman.

He leaves to cherish his memory two sons, Darnell (Vanessa) McCurdy, Memphis, Tennessee, Darrell (Renae) Beeman, Saginaw, Michigan; two daughters, Monique Griffin, Beverly Hills, Michigan, Sharmal (Brian) Bennett, Ypsilanti, Michigan; nine grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; brothers, Vollie and Lonnie Beeman; sisters, Velma Thompson, Gladys (Ken) Fields, Sheila Bean, all of Saginaw, Michigan; many nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

The family would like to express special thanks to the members of New Greater Life International Ministries in Clinton Township, Michigan, Pastor Benny and Sharnin Miller, the entire staff of Hampton Manor Assisted Living in Shelby Township, Michigan, Seasons Hospice Care, special friend Barbara Shells, Ivan E. Phillips and the Staff of Paradise Funeral Chapel.

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