OSCEOLA -- Isabelle Irene "Izzy" Beechler, 78, of 209 E. Walnut St., died at 6:17 p.m. Tuesday (July 4, 2006) in St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, Mishawaka, after an extended illness.

She was born Jan. 22, 1928, in McArthur, Ohio, to Tom and Irene (Miller) Fry. She married Harry L. Beechler on April 27, 1949, in Maysville, Ky.

He survives, along with one son, James D. (Corina) Beechler of Buchanan, Mich.; four daughters, Sandra L. Holdren of Hebron, Ohio, Therisa L. Wolfe and Freda F. Reser, both of Osceola, and Donna J. (Dean) Marks of Bremen; 10 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Sara M. Perry of McArthur and Addie Louise Riddle of Columbus, Ohio.

She was preceded in death by one son, Harry Jr.; and one brother, Tommy Fry Jr.

Friends may call for one hour prior to today's 11 a.m. funeral service at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart. Pastor Ed Ritchie of Elkhart County Community Baptist Church and Pastor Dave Knight of Osceola Grace Brethren Church will officiate. Burial will follow in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Osceola.

Mrs. Beechler was a homemaker most of her life, but earned the title of "neighborhood mom" because everyone was welcome in her home and there was always something to eat.

Mrs. Beechler was an accomplished singer and snare drummer and spent more than 40 years playing bluegrass gospel music with her husband. She was a member of Elkhart County Community Baptist Church and played there on occasion as well.

Memorials may be given to the Isabelle I. Beechler Memorial Fund, c/o Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart, IN 46514. Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.billingsfuneralhome.com.