Beverly Ethel Reyner

Beverly Ethel (Haskins) Reyner passed gently into eternity on Tuesday, May 7th in Caledonia, Minnesota. She was surrounded by family during her last days, including all five of her children being with her from around the country.

Beverly was born in Grand Rapids, MI to Roy and Nellie Haskins on June 23, 1932. She is preceded in death by her parents, brother, James Haskins, and sisters, Betty (Bob) Perks, Mary Lou (John) Velting, Jackie (Gene) Heibel, Joan (Don) Velting, Grace Jones, grandson, Christopher Reyner and great-grandson, Holden Hillaert.

She married Louis Eugene Reyner on September 4th, 1954, and together they had five children: Stephen (Cindy) Reyner, Daniel (Barbara) Reyner, Matthew Reyner, Janet Beemer, and Jennifer (Chris) Winegarden. Following Louis’s death in 2002, Beverly married Louis’s brother, Freal Reyner, in 2004 and they enjoyed 17 years of marriage before his death in 2021.

Beverly has 11 grandchildren: Nathaniel Reyner, Heather (Vic) Hillaert, Lecia (Nick) Scimeca, Kathryn (Shane) Welch Hu, Jonathan (Heather) Winegarden, Ian Welch, Jeremy Welch, Emily Reyner, Anna (Parker) Brose, Brenton Reyner, and Lauren Winegarden. She has 5 great-grandchildren, Easton and Rawley Hillaert, Louie Welch, Jasper Welch, and Reina Welch Hu.

Beverly was an astute learner, excelled in scholastic studies and graduated from Union High School in Grand Rapids proudly with a math award. She found there that she loved the game of football! She enjoyed Latin studies and encouraged by her father, became the first female in her family to attend college. Answering the government’s call to serve in a national teacher shortage, she taught at a one-room rural schoolhouse at 19 years of age. Rooming with a farm family there, she made lifetime friends. She was able to finish her bachelor’s degree later during summer sessions at Calvin College.

Beverly’s first experiences at that one-room school developed her into a versatile teacher who connected both academically and personally with her students. She cared deeply about their overall well-being. Regarding this experience she wrote and self-published the book, “Memoirs of a Country School Teacher,” available at both Barnes & Noble and Amazon.

She went on to earn a master’s degree in education from the University of Michigan, with a focus on the “Development of Gifted Children.” Later in her career she wrote Curriculum for State of Michigan school systems. As a mother she wrote small books on topics of interest to her kids and taught nearly all of them to read by age 4. She taught her children to love reading and to ask questions.

Beverly was loyal to Union High, Calvin College, and the University of Michigan, proudly singing the fight songs of both Union High and the University of Michigan throughout her life. A more avid college football fan could not be found! She rarely missed watching a Michigan football game, cheering loudly from the couch, or attending games in person.

Beverly had taken a leave from teaching to raise her five children. She served as a pastor’s wife within the Evangelical United Brethren Church, and later the United Methodist Church. Her life of service to her Lord, family, and church were at the essence and core of her being. It was in the quietness of her tender care to her children and grandchildren that she experienced her deepest joys.

Beverly was the embodiment of the ‘Proverbs-31-Woman’ to her family and friends. She was noble, kind and her spouse always had full confidence in her, lacking nothing. She utilized her gifts to the Lord with creativity and dedication, making gifts and clothing for her children, giving generously to the poor and taking time to encourage others with calls, cards, and visits.

She used her creativity to solve problems and to create art or stories. Beverly could recite some 100 poems from memory, mesmerizing her children and grandchildren at bedtime. She wrote poetry and short stories. She took time to assist her children and grandkids with homework, with fastidiously correcting their grammar even in the later months of her life.

Though she faced hardships, challenges, and difficulties, she was rarely discouraged. She explained that growing up in the post-Depression USA was the “best possible” environment. Her parents had lost a large new home they were building because of that Depression. Growing up afterwards in a small home as one of seven children developed in her strong gifts of spirit. She relished thriftiness and resourcefulness. She built toys from discarded items.

Through all seasons of life, Beverly possessed a staying deep joy and peace, all the while leaning on the strength of her Lord Jesus. When experiencing a recent paralyzing stroke she stated, “The Lord has been so good and faithful to me all my life. How could I do anything but give Him praise?”

Beverly’s courage and humor in all circumstances of life is one phenomenal gift to her family. Despite their sorrow her children all “arise and call her blessed.” (Proverbs 31)

Her love, faith, wisdom, and encouragement will always be theirs.

Visitation will be held on Friday, May 17, 2024 from 4:00pm - 8:00pm at Hill Funeral Home - 11723 S. Saginaw Street, Grand Blanc, Michigan. Funeral service will be held on Saturday, May 18, 2024 at 11:00am with an hour of visitation prior to the service. Interment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Grand Blanc, Michigan.