Beachy, Alvin J. (1913-1986)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 5 Jun 1986 p. 6

Birth date: 1913

text of obituary:

Former Bible Prof. Dies in Kansas

North Newton, Kan.—Alvin J. Beachy, retired Bible and religion professor at Bethel College here and a former Mennonite minister, died in Newton May 27 at the age of 72.

Graveside services took place May 30 at the Hoffnungsau Cemetery, rural Inman, with Renee Sauder and Don Kauffman in charge. A memorial service was held the same afternoon at Bethel College Mennonite Church.

A native of Salisbury, Pa., he received a Th. D. degree from Harvard University Divinity School, Cambridge, Mass., in 1961.

Beachy had taught at Bluffton (Ohio) College and Eastern Mennonite College, Harrisonburg, Va., coming to Bethel in 1968. He retired in 1978.

He was the author of the book, The Concept of Grace in the Radical Reformation, and edited the volume, Worship As Celebration of Covenant and Incarnation.

He also served as pastor of First Mennonite Church in Normal, Ill., Canton Center (Conn.) Congregational Church, Bolton Center Congregational Church in Manchester, Conn., First Mennonite Church, Bluffton, and First Congregational Church of Somerville, Mass. At Zion Mennonite Church, Souderton, Pa., he served from 1960 to 1968.

He was married to Vera Clouse in 1942. She survives along with two daughters, Brenda Ray of Rockford, Ill., and Debra Beachy of Mexico City; three brothers, Noah of Grantsville, Md., Milton of Salisbury, Pa., and Irvin of Meyersdale, Pa.; two sisters, Ruth Beiler and Mary Elizabeth Yoder, both of Grantsville, Md.; and four grandchildren.