James Eldo Beam, a lifelong resident of Carroll County, passed away on Thursday, November 25, 2021, at St. Elizabeth Healthcare in Delphi, Indiana.
He was born January 29, 1930, in Camden, Indiana, to Pansy Eleanor (Skiles) and Willard Arthur Beam. On October 24, 1953, he married Margaret Mae Martin. They set up housekeeping for six months in Logansport, Indiana, before purchasing their lifelong home in Flora, Indiana, where they raised their two children, Kristine Lee and Douglas Jay.
Eldo’s life’s work always involved his love of and skill as a carpenter. He began as a carpenter with Landis Construction of Flora. When daily swinging of the hammer resulted in severe tendonitis, he joined the Carroll Lumber Company. As Carroll Lumber evolved and changed ownership he moved on and taught Building Trades at Carroll Jr.-Sr. High School for 11 years until his retirement.
In addition to his 8-to-5 employment, Eldo was sought out by many in the community for home repairs and custom woodworking projects. Many homes in Carroll County have some of Eldo’s craftsmanship on display. If you were Eldo’s friend and you had a project, Eldo was there to help you.
Eldo was a very successful gardener and his garden was admired by many. He had many adventures with his buddies hunting mushrooms around Carroll County and in Michigan. He was an avid jigsaw puzzler. He enjoyed collecting, drying and shelling black walnuts. For many years, Eldo and Margaret were some of the most frequent patrons of the Flora-Monroe Township Public Library.
Eldo loved spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. They enjoyed many trips together including London, Denver, New York City, San Antonio, Baltimore, Washington, D.C., and Orlando. He helped lead his son’s Boy Scout troop as the Assistant Scout Master. He also served his community for several years as a member of the Flora Town Board.
Eldo entered the Bringhurst Masonic Lodge in 1957 and until recently was an active member of the consolidated Bringhurst, Flora and Camden lodges. He treasured this brotherhood that he shared with some of his childhood friends.
Surviving are his daughter, Kristine Medina and her husband, Chris, of Thornton, Colorado, and their children, Blair Carson, Leah Medina and her husband Sam, Jordan Medina and Tawnie Medina; his son, Douglas, and his wife, Shari, of Americus, Indiana, and their children, Elisabeth Oppel and her husband, Marshall, Alex and his wife, Janis, and their children James, Cyrus, and Guinevere.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret, on Sept. 29, 2011; his parents; siblings Elizabeth Emig (Kenneth), Leroy Beam (Treva), Maurice Beam (Connie), and Eleanor Garcia (Leo); and an infant brother.
Memorial visitation will be Saturday, December 4, from 11 a.m. until the 1 p.m. memorial service at Victory in Christ Fellowship Church, Flora. Memorial contributions in Eldo’s name may be made to the Flora-Monroe Twp. Public Library.
Genda Funeral Home assisted the family. Online condolences may be directed to www.gendafuneralhome.com.