Kenneth, “Ken” Archie Beatty, age 86, passed away on August 28, 2023, in Alma.
Ken was a lifelong resident of Isabella County. He worked at Beaverton Plastics for years, the father of 8 children. He had a passion for horses, cowboy boots, and Hank Williams. He loved the family farm and the outdoors and enjoyed fishing as well. Over the years he found happiness in singing Karaoke and dancing as well as spending time with his large family. Ken was a great bowler and bowled in a league for some time. He also enjoyed taking long drives on back roads and pointing out how the crops were doing. In his early years, he made a chuck wagon for his kids, and they rode it around the farm and camping. He enjoyed telling stories about his grandparents, being the first farmers with a combine, and who also won a race for the milk route.
Ken wore many titles, husband, dad, Grandpa Ken, and Papa Ken and loved his family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Archie and Hazel Beatty, his brother, Tom (Carol) Beatty, a son, Tommy Beatty, and grandchildren, Jamie Beatty, Zachary Salminen, and Caitlyn Wright.
He is survived by his children, Ken and Pam Beatty, of Yale, MI; Bob and Lora Beatty, of Edmore, MI; Bev and Ray Terpening, of Harrison, MI; Kathy and Danny Keeler, of Riverdale, MI; John Beatty, of Mt. Pleasant, MI; Chuck Beatty, of Coleman, MI and Joy and Howard Adkins, of Coleman, MI, and 23 grandchildren, 37 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild.
Services will be held at the Clare Chapel of Stephenson Wyman Funeral Home on September 8, 2023, at 12:00 p.m. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., and a procession to the cemetery will follow the service. A dinner in Ken’s honor will be held at the Moose Lodge in Clare from 2-4 p.m. On-line condolences may be left at www.stephenson-wyman.com