Henry Beaufait

Henry Roger "Hank" Beaufait Mr. Henry Roger "Hank" Beaufait, 73 of Atlanta, MI died peacefully at 12:25 PM on Friday, March 9, 2012 at Hillman's Haven. He was born on May 3, 1938 to Wilburt and Florence (DeVerna) Beaufait in Toledo, OH. He was raised in Ida, MI and attended school there. On January 23, 1960 he married Karlene Ruth "Pug" Iott in St. Joseph Catholic Church in Ida. He moved to Atlanta in 1981 and truly loved the north country. Hank, as a teenager, worked hard on his father's and other local farms. As a young man, he was employed at Libbey Glass and Fisher Body, before finding his passion repairing and selling lawn tractors and equipment. He worked for the Ida Hardware for many years, eventually becoming co-owner. He obtained his CDL and drove semi-truck for several companies, such as Inland Chemical and Jones Transfer, eventually becoming an owner operator until his medical retirement in 1992. As always, and especially in retirement, Hank stayed busy with numerous activities and hobbies, such as golf, farming, competitive target, skeet and trap shooting, building Ultra-Light airplanes, and repairing John Deere tractors and other equipment. He was actively involved in the local community and served on the Board of Directors for the Alpena Regional Airport. He was known for building the "Santa Train" which was featured in the Atlanta parade for many years, and for the Halloween parties he hosted. His love of motorcycles was demonstrated by riding every chance that he could. Hank is survived by three daughters, Tammy (Mark) Arnold of Oregon, OH, Jeanne (Larry Watts) Beaufait of Toledo, and Vickie (Joe) Wohlgamuth of Toledo; grandchildren, Stephanie (Richard) Noonan, Jessica (Josh) Limpf, Brittany Hord, Ashley Wohlgamuth, and Emily Jo Wohlgamuth; great-grandchildren, Patryck Noonan, Malachi Limpf, Richard Noonan IV, Kassidy Noonan, and Kalob Limpf; sisters, Delores Nelson, Sue Buford, Carolyn Carsner, and Ann Fleck; a brother, Russell (Angie) Beaufait; many nieces, nephews and their children whom he loved very much; and very special friends, Pug Iott, Mickey Forrester, and Aldo Hofer. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother-in-laws, Bill Buford and Craig Fleck; nephew, Jim Nelson, and niece-in-law, Ruth Buford. As were his wishes, cremation has taken place. A memorial will be held in celebration of his life on Saturday, March 17, 2012 at 1:00PM at the Atlanta Bible Church, Atlanta, MI; Pastor Roger Steele officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorial contributions be made to the Atlanta Bible Church or to the charity of the donor's choice. A special thanks to Hospice and the staff at Hillman's Haven.
Hank, as a teenager, worked hard on his father's and other local farms. As a young man, he was employed at Libbey Glass and Fisher Body, before finding his passion repairing and selling lawn tractors and equipment. He worked for the Ida Hardware for many years, eventually becoming co-owner. He obtained his CDL and drove semi-truck for several companies, such as Inland Chemical and Jones Transfer, eventually becoming an owner operator until his medical retirement in 1992.
As always, and especially in retirement, Hank stayed busy with numerous activities and hobbies, such as golf, farming, competitive target, skeet and trap shooting, building Ultra-Light airplanes, and repairing John Deere tractors and other equipment. He was actively involved in the local community and served on the Board of Directors for the Alpena Regional Airport. He was known for building the "Santa Train" which was featured in the Atlanta parade for many years, and for the Halloween parties he hosted. His love of motorcycles was demonstrated by riding every chance that he could.
Hank is survived by three daughters, Tammy (Mark) Arnold of Oregon, OH, Jeanne (Larry Watts) Beaufait of Toledo, and Vickie (Joe) Wohlgamuth of Toledo; grandchildren, Stephanie (Richard) Noonan, Jessica (Josh) Limpf, Brittany Hord, Ashley Wohlgamuth, and Emily Jo Wohlgamuth; great-grandchildren, Patryck Noonan, Malachi Limpf, Richard Noonan IV, Kassidy Noonan, and Kalob Limpf; sisters, Delores Nelson, Sue Buford, Carolyn Carsner, and Ann Fleck; a brother, Russell (Angie) Beaufait; many nieces, nephews and their children whom he loved very much; and very special friends, Pug Iott, Mickey Forrester, and Aldo Hofer. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother-in-laws, Bill Buford and Craig Fleck; nephew, Jim Nelson, and niece-in-law, Ruth Buford.
As were his wishes, cremation has taken place. A memorial will be held in celebration of his life on Saturday, March 17, 2012 at 1:00PM at the Atlanta Bible Church, Atlanta, MI; Pastor Roger Steele officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorial contributions be made to the Atlanta Bible Church or to the charity of the donor's choice. A special thanks to Hospice and the staff at Hillman's Haven.