Joann Beer, age 92, a lifelong resident of the Frenchton Community, Upshur County passed away peacefully on Friday, March 14, 2025, at Mountain Memories Assisted Living in Elkins, WV.
She was born on November 22, 1932, in Frenchton a daughter of the late Basil R. and Mary Pauline Hyre Heavner. She was united in marriage on November 25, 1950, to Zane Beer, who preceded her in death on September 16, 1992. In addition to her parents and her husband, she was also preceded in death by her son-in-law, David Lacko.
She is survived by three daughters: Luanne and husband Larry Bowers of Buckhannon, Glenna and husband Tom Weaver of Ashland, KY and Ramona Beer of Bruceton Mills, WV; three granddaughters: Laura and husband Ryan Sigler of Lexington, KY, Carol and husband Jeremy Brickey of Grayson, KY and Amy and husband Kerry Adkins of Winchester, KY; two grandsons: Zane Lacko of Morgantown and David and wife Christan Lacko of Morgantown; two great grandsons: Michael Brickey and Braden Adkins.
She worked for Buckhannon Upshur Junior High and the Upshur County Board of Education until retirement and carried her dedication as a public servant to various leadership positions for the West Virginia Association of Retired School Employees at the county and state levels. She also was instrumental in the early development of the West Virginia Public Employees Insurance Agency. Causes closest her heart included youth development in the Upshur County 4-H program by leading multiple local clubs, contributing to the Upshur County 4-H Camp and volunteering with the local arm of the American Cancer Society. She and husband Zane were founding members and volunteers for the Upshur County Emergency Squad.
Her flower and vegetable gardens were the envy of the neighborhood, and she delighted in sharing her bounty with friends and family.
The family would like to thank the staff of Mountain Memories in Elkins, W.Va. for their compassionate care around the clock and the efforts of WV Caring Hospice, who provides invaluable service to families in their darkest hours.
The family will receive friends at the Heavner and Cutright Funeral Chapel on Monday, March 17, 2025, from 4-7 PM. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at 11:00 AM at the Heavner and Cutright Funeral Chapel with Pastor Holt Poling officiating. Interment will follow in the Buckhannon Memorial Park Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Beechtown Cemetery at PO Box 132, French Creek, WV 26218.
Online condolences may be extended to the Beer family at http://www.heavnerandcutright.com.
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