Thomas E. Beihold

Thomas Edison “Eddie” Beihold, 89, of Indianapolis, died Sunday July 10, 2011 in his home. He was born July 27, 1921 in Decatur, Indiana to William Fredrick and Emily (Henline) Beihold. On August 31, 1952 he married Marjorie E. Johnson, she survives.

He grew up on a farm in rural Adams County in the days of horse drawn plows and steam powered threshing machines. He attended Bellmont High School in Decatur where he played basketball. He later worked in construction, helping to build the grain silos in Decatur, lying about his age in order to get hired. He met Margie, the love of his life, as a pen pal through Youth for Christ. When he got married in 1952, he continued farming, while working at International Harvester, building a house for his new family using only hand tools, and attending Fort Wayne Bible College (now Taylor University).

He served as a Methodist minister and succeeded in staving off an attempt by the governing body to acquire the deed to the church, keeping ownership within the local congregation. He was the founding pastor of Community Bible Church, which began meeting in a rented upstairs location in downtown Tipton. After leaving full-time ministry, he worked as a general contractor with his four sons, though he continued to minister through music by visiting nursing homes where he would play his violin and mandolin. Eddie was also a member of the Castleview Baptist Church. He enjoyed amateur radio, call sign KA9SDO, gardening, basketball, music, and his miniature schnauzer “Cookie”, but his greatest joy was his family.

Eddie is survived by his wife of 58 years and four sons, Fred Beihold of Massachusetts, Jim Beihold (Zahra) of Glendale, California, Paul Beihold (Julie) of Carmel, Indiana, Thomas Beihold (Amaryllis) of Indianapolis, and two sisters, Imogene Beihold, and Nelvalene Brooks. He had five grandchildren, Gabrielle, Stephen, Emily, Annie, and Yanni who lovingly called him their “Pa”.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Shirley Beihold, and siblings, Olive Cook, Elizabeth Cook, Avonelle Strouse, Vera Goldner , Wilmer, Charles, and Laurence Beihold.

Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, July 13, at Young-Nichols Funeral Home in Tipton with Rev. Dave Lohse presiding. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery. Visitation will be from 12 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.