Margaret A. Beach

Margaret Ann Beach, 84, of Benton Harbor, passed away May 31st at Lakeland Regional Medical Center in St. Joseph. Margaret was born February 15, 1933 in Adrian Michigan to Howard and Margaret (Marburger) Sherman. Her grade school years were spent in Homer, Michigan and she shared many stories of her grandparent’s farm and apple orchard.  Margaret attended Western Michigan University and graduated in 1955 with a degree in teaching.  Her teaching career took her to Colorado, Minnesota and Michigan, teaching Home Economics and Food Service, retiring in 1986. In 1983 she opened the Marina Guest House Bed and Breakfast in Manistque. She enjoyed meeting and talking with the guests and shared her love of cooking.  Margaret continued to share her gift of cooking at the Soup Kitchen in Benton Harbor. She often prepared cakes and meals for the Thursday Night Community Dinner at First Presbyterian Church were she became a member in 2005. Margaret is survived by her daughter Ruth, niece Cynthia (Robert) George of Jacksonville, FL, and nephew Dan Cermak of New York City.   She was preceded in death by her sister Eleanor May Cermak.. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 1:00 P.M. Saturday, June 24, 2017 at First Presbyterian Church, 475 Green St., Benton Harbor, with Rev. Deborah McCreary officiating. Private burial will take place at Fairview Cemetery in Homer, Michigan. In lieu of flowers memorials in Margaret’s name may be made to the Food Pantry at First Presbyterian Church or Open and Wide Building Fund at First Presbyterian Church in Benton Harbor. Those wishing to sign Margaret’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.