Elizabeth Beachler

Elizabeth Ann Bayford (Krider) Beachler died peacefully in her sleep on Wednesday, September 2, 2026. She was 86 years old. Liz had a beautiful life filled with world travel, romance, family and friends. She was born on February 3, 1940, to Cyril Bayford and Maisie Bunn Bayford, in Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire, England, and was soon joined by two brothers, Roger and Philip. In 1957, she met and fell in love with a handsome American soldier, Clyde “Leroy” Krider, Jr., and they were married on March 5, 1958. Shortly after, they moved to Germany to continue his military career. A son, Wayne, and a daughter, Donna, soon arrived. As Leroy’s career continued, they returned to the USA, where their additional children, Darlene, Lynda, and Lisa, were born.

Liz loved her role as a mother, and good thing - by the time she was 23 years old, she had 5 children under the age of 5 and was living in Churubusco, Indiana, where she spent the remainder of her years. In 1966, she and her new best friend, Heddy, who had met as immigrants in a small Indiana town, studied together to become American citizens. Liz’s eight years of German came in very handy throughout their lifelong friendship.

When the kids were school-age, Liz headed off to a new job at Lincoln National Life Insurance Company where she spent her entire working career, retiring in 1998. She held several positions but loved her last position as an Individual Life Underwriter.

After Leroy’s death in 1987, Liz met Kenneth Beachler, and they were married in 1992. Two stepchildren, Kirk and Kathy, joined the family. With Ken, Liz operated a successful greenhouse business where they sold plants from their home and markets across the area.

She later worked at Shear Creations and Sav U Mor grocery store, where many enjoyed her beautiful English accent. Liz was gifted with music, sang beautifully, and loved to play the piano. Her beautiful music was heard and enjoyed by friends at Collins New Life Church and later at her retirement community, where all were enthralled with her ability to create amazing music on the piano, “playing by ear” without written music.

As life went on, the family soon grew to include 10 grandchildren (Shane, Drew, Brittany, Grant, Sara, Alyssa, Kirsten, Bethany, Alex, and Kelli), and then more blessings came with 16 Great-grandchildren.

She is survived by her 5 children, Wayne (Judy Johnson) Krider, Donna (Mike) Ellis, Darlene Leon, Lynda (Ed) Arnold, and Lisa Waterman, Kirk (Kim) Beachler, 10 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, her brother Roger, numerous nieces and nephews, and many friends who loved her dearly. She was preceded in death by her mother and father, her husbands, and her brother, Philip.

Calling will be on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, from 3–8 p.m. at Sheets and Childs Funeral Home, Churubusco Chapel.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at 10 a.m. at the Funeral Home.

Burial will follow at Christian Chapel Cemetery.