Beers & Story Funeral Homes - Belchertown

06/11/2026

C.A. Ingram

C.A. Ingram (87) of Pelham born December 7th, 1938 in Blairsville GA passed away on Sunday June 7th, 2026 peacefully at home. C.A. served in the Air Force for 8 years. He was an aircraft mechanic and an Airman Second Class. He retired from IUEC local 41 where he had worked for many years. He was a proud active member of The Masons, The Shriners, and Pelham Lions Club for over 39 years. He was awarded the Melvin Jones Fellowship award from the Lions Club. C.A. and his late wife Bev could always be found at the Lions Club dime toss at the Belchertown Fair. C.A. loved camping, antique cars, car shows, and spending the winters in FL. He had a love for being out in his yard mowing or doing whatever needed to be done, but he was the happiest when the grandchildren were around.

C.A. is predeceased by his beloved wife, Beverly (Krause) Ingram; his mother, Hazel (Jones) Colbert of GA; his father, Rufus R. Ingram of GA; his brother, James Ingram, and two sisters, Elouise Weaver and Jo Weaver, all of GA; along with his two grandsons, Damien Deprey and Nicholas Vassallo.

C.A is survived by his son, Donald Ingram and wife Maureen of Ludlow, MA; three daughters, Darlene Avery of Belchertown MA, Pam Picard of Belchertown MA, and Ginger Fagans of Brattleboro VT; two stepsons, Wayne Avery of New Hampshire, and Terry Avery of Southwick MA; and his stepdaughter, Kim LeClair of Ware MA. He also leaves behind 15 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 16, 2026 from 4-7 PM at the Beers & Story Belchertown Funeral Home. Family and friends are welcome to gather at the funeral home the following morning at 10 AM in preparation for our funeral procession to Quabbin Park Cemetery where C.A. will be laid to rest and military honors will be rendered.

In lieu of flowers we are asking for donations to be made to the Shriners Children's Hospital by visiting https://donate.shrinerschildrens.org/campaign/618584/donate

View C.A. Ingram's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

06/04/2026

Kenneth E. Florence

Wales-Kenneth E. Florence, 86, was born November 26, 1939. He passed away on June 1, 2026 at home surrounded by his family. Ken graduated from Glastonbury High School and was a graduate from the University of Connecticut in their agriculture department. He worked for his second family, the Lugenbuhl's on their family farm in Ellington - he loved the cows. Ken then proceeded to do truck driving for the Teamsters out of Bloomfield Connecticut. He loved driving big rigs. Ken's passions were fishing and stamp collecting, cribbage and cards with his friends from the Stafford Fish and Game club.

He is predeceased by his father Ernest Florence and his mother Aspatia Cristopolus along with his sister, Joanie Badorick.

He is survived by his daughter, Michelle O'Neil, her daughter, Alia and her son, Duncan. Ken also leaves his son Douglas. Ken's life was marked by a strong connection to his fiancé, Irene Demetrius and her children. Irene's daughter, Christine Pourmond, her son Tyler and her daughter Jillian, Irene's son, Dana Demetrius and his daughter Alyssa and her friend Joe, also Irene's daughter Kimberly Bready and her husband Doug and their children Emily, her friend Steven and daughter, Riley will remember Ken fondly. He also loved his nieces, Robin and Mike, Tara and Morgan, and Robin's daughter, Heather and Ron, and Heather's son, Zack and Brenna along with their children, Madison and Kinsey.

Visitation will be held Wednesday June 10 at the Beers & Story BELCHERTOWN Funeral home from 10am-12pm with a service to begin at 12pm. Burial will follow in Wales Cemetery #4.

View Kenneth E. Florence's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

05/29/2026

Robert Christ, Jr.

Robert (Bob) Christ, Jr., 78 (12/30/1947-5/27/2026), child of Robert, Sr. & Lillian (Klotz) Christ. Born and raised mostly in Brooklyn, NY, Bob served proudly, yet humbly, in the United States Air Force, New York Suffolk County Police Force, as Mount Holyoke Security, Checkers gas station attendant, St. Francis of Assisi maintenance and the Knights of Columbus. He “did what he had to do,” as best he could. He maintained objectivity in difficult times and supported others—and did not seek recognition, commendation, or praise. Bob was a talented handyman – “If he couldn’t fix it, it could not be fixed”- and carpenter who took pride in the quality and service of his work. He volunteered his skills and time generously. Many decks, roofs, sheds, floors, bathrooms, kitchens and automobiles are enjoyed by family and friends because of Bob’s talent and generosity. He was a proud father of six, whom he loved and supported unconditionally. They will miss his serenades and “love songs”. His fifteen grandchildren will miss his loving coercion and payments (five cents a minute) to rub his back and head, his hugs and guffaws.

He will be sorely missed by his wife of 55 years, Louise (Beaulieu) Christ and his children: Robert Christ, III and his daughters Suzanna & Caroline; Dr. Theodore Christ, his wife Jen and their children Nate, Dan & Abby; Timothy Christ; Matthew Christ, his wife Sue and their children, Eli, Ella & Emi; Annette Thomas, her husband Brian and their children Connor, Lillianna, Angelia & Tristan; and Pamela Tarnawa, her husband Doug and children Annabelle, Stephen & Colton; and Bob’s two brothers: Wayne; and James, his wife Donna and their children Michelle, Laura & Michael. “Everybody loved Bob”. Mostly we will miss his joy and sense of humor.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, June 7, 2026 from 2-5 PM at the Beers & Story Belchertown Funeral Home. A Funeral Mass will be held the following morning at 11:00 AM at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Belchertown. Please meet directly at the church. Burial will immediately follow at the Massachusetts Veterans' Memorial Cemetery in Agawam. Donations in Bob's memory can be made to the St. Francis Building Fund or to the Wounded Warriors Project.

View Robert Christ, Jr.'s obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

05/27/2026

Loy H. Harris

Loy Haskard Harris 89, died peacefully at home on May 25, 2026. He was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on July 23, 1936, the firstborn son of the late Loy E. Harris Jr. and Edith (Haskard) Harris, who gave him names from their respective families. He is survived by

Colleen Harris, Loy’s beloved wife of 45 years and the mother of his stepdaughter, Karen Harris, Loy’s ex-wife and the mother of his children, Sally McClellan, Loy’s sister, and her husband Jack, David Harris, Loy’s brother, and his wife Christine, Kelly Fanelli, Loy’s daughter and her companion, John, Loy James Harris, Loy’s son, and his wife Shelley, Elizabeth Bellande, Loy’s stepdaughter, and her husband Philippe, seven grandchildren and step-grandchildren and one great-grandchild with another due in July.

Johnny Cash’s “I’ve Been Everywhere” could have been the theme song of Loy’s life. His father’s profession as an exploration geologist required frequent family relocations. As a result, from the time of Loy’s birth until the family settled in Basin, Wyoming, when he was ten years old, Loy had lived in nineteen different towns in eight different states. The family then remained in Basin, but after graduating from Basin High School as valedictorian of his seventeen-member class, Loy resumed his roving ways. First, he went to the University of Wyoming, where he picked up another town, Laramie, along with a Bachelor of Science degree (with honor) in Engineering. He then embarked on a 35-year career with Exxon Corporation and its affiliates. While with Exxon, he lived and/or worked in an additional ten towns and cities in five new states in the US, together with two Native American Reservations. His Exxon career also took him overseas, where he added twelve towns in seven foreign countries (Libya, Venezuela, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Syria, the Yemen Arab Republic and Colombia). He ended his Exxon career as President and Chief Operating Officer of the company’s affiliate in Colombia, where he was responsible for what at the time was the world’s largest open-pit export coal mine, complete with its own railroad and port facilities.

In response to a perceived call from God, Loy retired from Exxon and went to Duke Divinity School, adding a new town and state, Durham, North Carolina, to his list. He was graduated from Duke with a Master of Divinity degree (magna cm laude), and subsequently was ordained an Elder in the United Methodist Church. He spent the next six years serving in pastoral ministry at Bethany UMC in Houston, Texas.

He then retired again, and moved with Colleen to Belchertown (another new town and state). He still wasn’t finished; while living in Belchertown, he worked as a pastor to small churches in two northern Massachusetts towns.

By the time of his death, he had lived and/or worked in a total of forty-six towns and cities, fifteen states, two Reservations, and seven foreign countries. Along the way, he was named a Distinguished Alumnus of the University of Wyoming and a Member of the University’s College of Engineering Hall of Fame.

He died confident and grateful because he trusted that by the grace of God his sins, though many, were forgiven, and the best of life was still to come.

A memorial service for Loy will be held on Saturday, June 13, 2026 at 11:30 am at Grace Episcopal Church, 14 Boltwood Ave., Amherst, MA.

In lieu of flowers, charitable contributions can be made to Grace Episcopal Church, 14 Boltwood Ave., Amherst, MA 01002, Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA 01007, or to the charity of one’s choice.

View Loy H. Harris's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

05/12/2026

Rebecca Jayne Grondin

Rebecca Jayne (Graves) Grondin, age 51, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 6, 2026. Born on September 17, 1974, she was the beloved daughter of Howard Graves and Roberta (Dines) Graves.

Rebecca was the loving wife of Scott Grondin and a devoted mother whose greatest joy was her family. She leaves behind her children: Ashley Tarr and her partner, Stephen Petrie, of Belchertown, MA; Tiffany Tarr of Winter Garden, FL; Tyler Grondin and his wife, Haley Grondin, of Belchertown, MA; and Ariel Grondin of Weymouth, MA. Her love for her children was unwavering, and she was their constant source of support, warmth, and encouragement.

She is also lovingly remembered by her siblings: Christine Franklin of Belchertown, MA; Cathy Amidio and Michael Amidio of Oakham, MA; Heidi Besse and Arthur Besse of Templeton, MA; Michael Franklin of Templeton, MA; and John Graves and Candace Graves of Templeton, MA; along with her niece Marissa Amidio and nephews Justice Graves and Hunter Graves.

Rebecca is additionally survived by her father-in-law, Herman Grondin; her brother-in-law, Kevin Grondin; and her sister-in-law, Lynda Leblanc, as well as many loved nieces and nephews, including Lily Grondin, Christopher Vangel, Heidi Leblanc, and Jackson Pierce.

She was predeceased by her father, Howard Graves, and her mother-in-law, Bertha Grondin.

Rebecca shared a special bond with her cherished pets, Frankie, Fritzie, Spice, and Chloe, who were a constant source of comfort and joy in her life.

Rebecca graduated from Narragansett Regional High School and went on to earn both her undergraduate and graduate degrees from Fitchburg State University, majoring in Elementary Education. She devoted nearly 20 years to teaching at Helen Mae Sauter School in Gardner, MA, where she touched countless young lives with her patience, kindness, and dedication. More recently, she worked alongside her family as the Office Manager for Quabbin Well in Belchertown, MA.

Rebecca will always be remembered for her compassion, gentle strength, and selfless love. She was the heart of her home, a loyal friend, and someone who gave endlessly to those around her. Though her absence leaves an immeasurable void, her spirit will live on through the many lives she touched.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 21, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. followed by personal reflections to close the evening at Beers and Story Funeral Home, 10 Maple Street, Belchertown, MA. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you consider making a donation to the Shriners Hospitals for Children at [email protected].

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

View Rebecca Jayne Grondin's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

05/08/2026

Lynn A. Guertin

Lynn Ann Guertin, age 68, passed away on May 3, 2026. Born on May 20, 1957, Lynn was the cherished daughter of the late George and Barbara (Casey) Robert. A proud graduate of Granby High School's class of 1975, Lynn dedicated many years of her professional life to the Family Resource Center at BHN, where she served as the Director before retiring.

Lynn had a passion for gardening and a particular fondness for Christmas, a holiday she celebrated with great enthusiasm. Her creative spirit was evident in her love for crafting, especially in her skillful creation of gnomes, which brought joy to those around her.

In addition to her parents, Lynn is predeceased by her two beloved sons, George and Charles Rock, and her brother, William Robert. She leaves behind her loving partner, John Panzetti, her dear sister, Nancy Archambault, and her three treasured grandchildren, Tyler, Christian, and Charlie Rock, all of whom she loved dearly.

Visitation will be held on Monday, May 18, 2026, from 9 to 11 a.m., followed by a Catholic service at 11:00 a.m. at the Beers & Story Belchertown Funeral Home. The family will hold a private burial at their convenience. Lynn's memory will live on in the hearts of those who knew her and loved her.

View Lynn A. Guertin's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

05/06/2026

Nancy Jean Gebhardt

Nancy Jean Smith Gebhardt, “Nancy” passed away peacefully February 27, 2026 in Belchertown, MA. after a short illness.

Nancy was born October 12, 1931 in Barre Town, Vermont, the daughter of the late Ross and Geneva Kennedy Smith. She graduated from Spalding High School in Barre, VT and Concordia Lutheran University in Bronxville, NY.

While working teaching deaf children at Mill Neck Manor school on Long Island, New York, Nancy met William Gebhardt. They were married in July 1956. She went on to teach elementary education at several schools around central Maine. She transitioned from teaching to a 15-year career at the Admissions Office at Colby College in Waterville, Maine.

Nancy enjoyed cooking, baking, reading and a good game of cribbage among other activities. She attended First Lutheran Church in Holyoke and was a member of the Ladies Guild there. Nancy spent a lot of time researching her family history and was a member of the Brooks-Green Woods Chapter for the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution.

She had unwavering love for her family. She is survived by 2 sons, Peter (wife Maria), of Neenah, WI and Tom (wife Lisa), of South Hadley, MA. She is also survived by 6 grandchildren, Elizabeth, Catherine, William, Kimberly, Hannah, and Tommy and 3 great-grandsons.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband William, brother Victor Smith and sister-in-law Gerri Smith.

Burial will be at the Woodlawn Cemetery in Rochester, Vermont on June 6th at 11:30 followed by a celebration of her life at the Rochester Pierce Hall Community Center.

View Nancy Jean Gebhardt's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

04/29/2026

Joseph R. White,Esq.

LUDLOW – Joseph R. White, Esq., 84, passed away peacefully with his family by his side at Baystate Medical Center on April 24, 2026. Born on September 4, 1941, in Worcester, Massachusetts, he was the son of the late Joseph V. and Kathryn M. (Ziemba) White. Joe was raised in Palmer and went on to build a life defined by service, dedication, and leadership.

Joe was a proud and distinguished veteran of the United States Army, serving during the Gulf War era. His final active-duty assignment was during Operation Desert Shield, where he worked at the Pentagon. A counterintelligence officer, Joe attained the rank of Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves and retired as the Commander of a Massachusetts Army Reserve unit. He also shared his expertise as an instructor at the US Army Judge Advocate General school in Charlottesville, Virginia. Joe was also honored to serve as a member of the adjunct faculty of the US Army Command and General Staff College at Leavenworth, Kansas, and the faculty of the First Army Intelligence School at Ft. Meade, Maryland.

Joe earned his Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 1970. He graduated from Suffolk University Law School in 1973 and was admitted to the Massachusetts Bar that same year. He began his legal career practicing with Attorney Jim Rooney in Palmer, Massachusetts, before opening his own private practice, Law Offices of Joseph R. White in Palmer. He was joined by his daughter, Elizabeth, in 2007 and together they created White Law Offices, P.C. Joe proudly owned and operated the practice for 50 years.

Throughout his legal career, Joe was a member of the Massachusetts Bar Association and the Hampden County Bar Association. He was admitted to practice before the Massachusetts Federal District Court, the Court of Military Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court. He also served as Assistant Register of the Hampshire Division of Probate and Family Court in Northampton, and as a law clerk to Justices of the Massachusetts Superior Court.

Deeply committed to civic service, Joe served as Town Moderator for the Town of Belchertown for 20 years. Outside of his professional life, he held a private pilot’s license and enjoyed reading, listening to music, spending time with his grandchildren, and proudly attending their sporting events.

Joe recalls many significant memories during his life with his late wife Phyllis and treasures the many accomplishments of his children, especially when he was honored to administer to Peter the oath of induction into the military service; to make the motion to the US Supreme Court to admit Elizabeth to the bar of that court; and to witness Susan receive the Greenspoon Foundation award for excellence in teaching.

Joe was predeceased by his beloved wife, Phyllis A. (Hoffman) White, in 2025; his sister, Beverly Sherman; and his nephew, Eric Sherman.

He is survived by his son, Peter White; his daughter, Elizabeth Chouinard and her husband Robert of South Hadley; and his stepdaughter, Susan Murphy and her husband Daniel of Belchertown. He is also survived by his eight cherished grandchildren.

Joe will be remembered for his unwavering integrity, dedication to service, love of family, and the many lives he touched throughout his distinguished career.

Calling hours will be held on Thursday, May 14th from 4:00pm-7:00pm at the Beers & Story Belchertown Funeral Home. Funeral service will be held on Friday, May 15th at 12:00pm at the funeral home followed by burial at 2:00pm with military honors at the Massachusetts Veterans' Cemetery in Agawam.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Joes memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

View Joseph R. White,Esq.'s obituary, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

02/28/2026

If you or someone you know is interested in participating in Camp Happy Place, you can fill out an application form here: https://camphappyplace.org/application-form/. For more information, you can visit their website at https://camphappyplace.org/ or contact Gayle Saks at [email protected] or 413-344-3341.