Don Bezy

Don Bezy, 97, of Sullivan, passed away on Thursday December 3, 2020 at Millers Merry Manor.  He was born in Knox County on August 30, 1923, to Albert Bezy and Lelia Ellen (Pilgrim) Bezy.

Don graduated from Fritchton High School near Vincennes in 1942. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corp February 1943 and was a top turret gunner on a B-25 bomber serving in North Africa, Sicily, Italy, China, Burma, & India, flying 56 combat missions.  On his way back to the United States he got to fly by the Taj Mahal.

After his discharge in October 1945 he enrolled at Purdue University on the GI Bill studying agriculture and graduating in 1949.  He worked for Halderman Farm Management for two years before moving to Gill Township to help manage the Hermon Jones family farm with his brother-in-law, Bob Jones, until 1967.  Don loved the farm life and the hard work of raising cattle, hogs and growing potatoes for Chesty Foods in Terre Haute.

In 1968, Don and Bob bought the John Deere dealership in Sullivan and sold it 1989.  They also purchased and operated the John Deere dealership in Terre Haute.

After retiring in 1989, he worked in other business ventures, committees and boards to stay off the streets and out of trouble.  He was a member of St. Mary Church in Sullivan since 1951, a member of the Elks and the American Legion for many years, the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Merit Board, the School Reorganization committee and original and last surviving member of the Sullivan County Park & Lake Board.  Don loved living on the lake, teaching kids and grandkids to water ski and ride the tractor tire inner tube.

Survivors include his children, Carolyn Comeau, Susy Pierson, Jean Bezy Miller, Pat (Lisa) Bezy, Mike (Deborah) Bezy; a sister, Mary Joy McKenna; 12 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.

In addition to his parents, Don was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, Esther Carolyn (Jones) Bezy, who passed away in 2016; and two sisters, Jewell Via and Joan Perry.

A funeral mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, December 8, 2020 at St. Mary Catholic Church in Sullivan.  Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. on Monday, December 7 at Holmes Memorial Chapel.  Burial will follow the mass on Tuesday at Center Ridge Cemetery in Sullivan.

We wish to thank everyone in advance for wearing a mask to all services and observing the prescribed social distancing requirements.