Roland Joseph Beauchemin Sr.

Roland Joseph Beauchemin, Sr., son of late Conrad and Edna (Rochelle) Beauchemin of Richmond, Vermont, was born on October 19, 1946 at his maternal grandparent’s home on the Dugway Road in Richmond, Vermont. He passed away on November 4, 2007 at his residence in Springfield, Missouri following a long illness at 61 years and 16 days of age.
As a youngster, he and his two older sisters resided at “The Children’s Home” on Shelburne Road in Burlington. He attended area schools in Burlington, Waterbury, and Duxbury, Vermont.
Roland entered the United States Army in 1965 and served his country in Germany during the Vietnam War. He also worked at the Vermont State Hospital for a time following his discharge on January 4, 1967. During his travels he met and married his wife and life partner of thirty-five years, Sheila Elaine Covey on June 2, 1972 in Springfield, Missouri. He worked at J.C. Penney for twenty-two years and twelve years at Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri where he recently retired. He was an accomplished knife maker, a craft he learned from Ray Johnson the Master Craftsman. He also enjoyed Black Powder demonstrations.
He is the grandson of the late Earl and Jennie Rochelle of Richmond, Vermont, and Joseph and Eugenia Beauchemin of Longueuil, Canada.
He is survived by his loving wife: Sheila Beauchemin of their home; one son: Roland Joseph Beauchemin II of Springfield, Missouri; one daughter and son-in-law: Shellie Marie and Robert Craig of Elkland, Missouri; eight grandchildren: Kylie Rayne, Austin Kory, Shane Andrew Craig, William Alphage, James Blaine, Madison Jae, Daniel Joseph and Skyler Jacob Beauchemin; his father-in-law: Bill Covey of Springfield, Missouri; sister and brother-in-law: Bob and Sandi Neff of Allen, Texas; niece: Amanda and Matt Preston of Allen, Texas; nephew and wife: Jason and Talyna Neff of Wylie, Texas; four sisters: Beatrice Fisher of Atlanta, Georgia, Armandine Austin and her husband, Robert, of Duxbury, Vermont, Rosemary Mallin and her husband, Robert, of Duxbury, Vermont, and Ann Bronson of Fort Worth, Texas; two brothers: Ronald Andrew of Hinesburg, Vermont, and Henry Parro and his wife, Lisa, of Duxbury, Vermont; several aunts; uncles; cousins; nieces; nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends who will sadly miss him.
Graveside services for Roland Beauchemin were held on Wednesday, November 7, 2007 in the Hillcrest Cemetery with Rev. Dale Rose officiating. Pallbearers were Jason Neff, Robert Craig, Bob Neff, Gary Krumenacher, Don Ford and Roland Joseph Beauchemin II. Full military honors were provided at the cemetery by the American Legion Post 30 with Jared Moore serving as bugler. Burial was in the Hillcrest Cemetery under the direction of the Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home, Mtn. Grove, Missouri.


Graveside Services:
Wednesday, November 7, 2007, at 3 p.m. in the Hillcrest Cemetery, Mtn. Grove, MO.
Visitation:
Wednesday, November 7, 2007, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the funeral home.
Burial:
Hillcrest Cemetery, Mtn. Grove, Missouri