Summary
Beverly Sue Van Meter of Noblesville went to sleep peacefully in the Lord on Monday, September 30, 2024, at Bridgewater of Carmel, at the age of 80.
One of four children, Beverly was born in Indianapolis to Clyde and Genevieve Heavner on August 26, 1944. The family lived on Dearborn Street until they moved north to the little town of Cicero. She attended the small Cicero SDA elementary school located in a tiny building on Highway 19 and then moved up the road a bit to attend Indiana Academy until she graduated in 1962. She then went to Andrews University located in Michigan but soon returned because she didn’t like walking through tunnels of snow!
She grew up in the time of bobby socks and penny loafers, pencil skirts and bouffant hair. Her favorite singers were Dion and Bobby Darin, and movies like Bye Bye Birdie and South Pacific. She married Richard D. Van Meter on February 27, 1965, and they shared 39 years of marriage before his unexpected passing in 2005. They raised three children, David, Christina, and Stephanie.
Raising her family and teaching children to love the Lord was what Beverly held most dear. She spent the majority of her time as a mother and housewife working in those areas in which she could spend the most time with her own and other children. Whether it was Home and School, Ingathering, or Sabbath School, she was always involved in children’s ministries. She spent over 50 years teaching kindergarten Sabbath School in the Cicero SDA Church, lending her vast knowledge and talent for making the stories in the Bible and the concepts of grace and forgiveness easy for the young ones to understand.
Beverly also worked as the church secretary for many years, and in her later years, helped to develop the special decorating needed in the church’s production of Journey to Bethlehem, which has been a blessing to the community for over 24 years. When not involved in the many areas of church participation, Beverly loved the profession of Human Resources, and lent her particular talents to that area as well. She was an avid reader, and loved to challenge herself with difficult subjects. She was a wonderful cook, had wonderful holiday gatherings, and loved watching good old movies. She also loved to travel to new places, and visit family. She was an extremely special person in her influence with her church and her family and will be missed greatly.
Beverly is survived by her son Richard David Van Meter II and his wife Lynn, of Florida; daughter Christina Marie Thomas and her husband Pete, of Noblesville; and her daughter, Stephanie Lynn Van Meter, of Noblesville. She is also survived by her granddaughter Kylie Van Meter of New Mexico, grandson Wyatt Van Meter, of Florida; and Maura Van Meter of Florida.
A Celebration of Life for Beverly will take place at Cicero SDA Church in Cicero, Indiana, on November 9, 2024 at 4pm. Family and friends are invited to call between the hours of 3pm and 4pm at the church; the service will immediately follow, officiated by Pastor Aaron Clark. After the funeral, a meal will be provided to any who would like to stay and visit, to share memories and stories of Beverly and her role in their lives.
Arrangements entrusted to Simple Cremation Indianapolis. 6904 South East Street, Suite E, Indianapolis, IN 46227. (317) 361-4749. www.simplecremationindianapolis.com
One Reply to “Beverly Sue Van Meter”
A loving sister and good friend. We had
great times together: singing for her
friends provided food and drinks as well
as intertainment. Bev had many friends
who often came over to get away from the boarding school life. It was a fun time and I’m thankful I could be a part of it. She was more than a sister. She would
explain the twist and turns of teenage
life. She listened to my experiences
giving a young boy insights into friendships. She will be missed and loved . Sleep Sis until He comes to take you home.
Love, Don