FAYETTE — Services for John Henry Beesley, 85, of Fayette, who died Monday, March 29, 2010, at Claiborne County Senior Care Nursing Home in Port Gibson, will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Community Methodist Church with the Rev. Aaron Lamb officiating.

Burial will follow at Cain Ridge Cemetery in Lorman under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 6 p.m. today until service time at the church.

Mr. Beesley was born April 18, 1924, in the Blue Hill community of Fayette, the son of Pearl Beesley and Ada Love Klar Beesley.

He served in Battery B of the 92nd Armored Field Artillery Battalion of the U.S. Army during the Normandy invasion. After completing his time in the Army, he returned to Fayette and was employed by Armstrong Tire and Rubber Company in Natchez for more than 37 years.

Mr. Beesley was a lifetime member of Community Methodist Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Walter, Paul and Lewis Beesley; and three sisters, Annie Mae Smith, Pearlie Smith and Ruth King.

Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Hazel Moffett Beesley; three daughters, Barbara Hilton of Livingston, Ala., Irene Mallette and husband, Joe, of San Antonio, Texas and Polly Hill of Port Gibson; five grandchildren, Pamela Hilton, Andrea Peck, Monica Webb, Jessica Ashley and Justin Hill; seven great-grandchildren; one brother, Benny Beesley and wife, Rita; one sister-in-law, Bonnie Moffett; a number of nieces and nephews; and two special friends, Johnny Martin and Pete Guido.

Pallbearers will be Justin Hill, Marty Hilton, Clyde Hill, Jeff Roberts, Jerrod Webb and Jon Ashley.

Honorary pallbearers will be nephews.

Online condolences may be sent to www.lairdfh.com.