Kenneth "Ken" Beardslee, 76, of 1138 E. CR 900N, Milford, died at 4:30 a.m. March 5, 2007, in his residence.
He was born Dec. 7, 1930, in Woodville, Mich., to Roy and Gladys Miller Beardslee. On Dec. 9, 1961, in Vermontville, Mich., he married Marilene O. Handy, who survives.
He spent 25 years in professional baseball with the New York Yankees and the Pittsburgh Pirates. As a prep pitcher in Michigan, he set seven United States all-time records. In professional baseball, he won a total of 64 games with the Yankee organization while losing only 24. He then entered the Pittsburg Pirates scouting department where he remained for more than 20 years. During the course of his time with the Pirates, he became a scouting supervisor, handling all scouting operations in the Midwest. He also ran summer baseball camp in Midland, Mich., and North Manchester College for more than 18 years.
He has five baseball books published, including his autobiography titled "Little Field on the Corner." Along with the baseball books, he has published three poetry books.
Known for being a kind and gentle man, his joy came from his family, baseball, embracing the beauty of nature, writing his books and, of course, his beloved poetry.
He was a U.S. Army veteran, serving in the Korean War.
He was a classy man who always wore a classy hat.
Also surviving are two sons, Cary Beardslee, Warsaw, and Craig Beardslee, San Diego, Calif.; and two sisters, Beverly Beardslee, Grandville, Mich., and Phyllis Beardslee Loucks, Charlotte, Mich. He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Betty Beardslee, Michigan; and a brother, Keith Beardslee, Michigan.
Services will be private.
No calling is planned.
McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel, Warsaw, is in charge of arrangements.
Memorials to the Milford Public Library, 101 N. Main St., Milford, IN 46542.
Condolences may be sent to mchattonsadlerfuneralchapels.com
