Beverly Jane Geil, 94, recently of Marion, Massachusetts, passed away on February 2, 2024 due to natural causes.
Beverly was born on October 18, 1929 to Edward Frank Wenzel and Helen Brasch Wenzel in Chesterland, Ohio, and she grew up with her two older brothers on their small farm. After graduating from Chardon High School in Chardon, Ohio, Beverly married her high school sweetheart, John Jacob Geil, Jr. In 1950, she sailed transatlantic aboard a small freighter to join her husband in Chateauroux, France, where he was stationed post WWII as a sergeant in the USAF. The two traveled while in France and had many adventures together.
Upon returning by steamship to the US in1953, Beverly again joined her husband in California where he was stationed at Travis Air Force Base near San Francisco. While there, Beverly gave birth to her fraternal twin boys, John Daniel and James Edward.
Beverly was a skilled typist, and she worked as a secretary for various private companies to help support the family. In 1965, she was hired at the Kennedy Space Center during the construction of NASA's Vertical Assembly Building (VAB). A few years later, Beverly worked for the Florida Forest Service in Tallahassee.
Beverly learned to play the piano as a young girl. She had a special talent, and she brought much joy to family and friends with her music. For years, she taught piano, mostly to children and young people. That talent lives on in her grandson, Erik.
Always seeking travel and adventure, Beverly and her family made two long road trips to the American West, and they lived in Bangladesh from 1962 to 1964. In later years, Beverly and her husband twice drove from Florida to Alaska and back. Upon John's retirement, the two flew to New Zealand where they rented a camper and explored the South Island.
Beverly is survived by her son James; four grandsons; and a great granddaughter. After fifty years at home on the Indian River Lagoon in Florida, she spent her final few living with James in Massachusetts. There will be a reception from 3 PM to 5 PM on Saturday February 24 at the Indian Cove House, 106 Indian Cove Road in Marion.