Burton “Burt” Carroll Beem

Burton Carroll Beem, 89, of Inverness, Florida, passed away on October 26, 2025. He was born on October 6, 1936, in Marshalltown, Iowa, and lived a full and vibrant life marked by hard work, humor, and a love for the simple things.

Burt proudly served in the United States Air Force, where he received job training and played basketball, before building a long and varied career as a mechanic. His skills and curiosity took him from jet manufacturing in West Palm Beach, FL to work on the space program at the Kennedy Space Center and later into the nuclear industry in Oak Ridge, TN. Wherever he worked, Burt was known for his steady hands, quick wit, and mechanical know-how.

He was a man who loved to stay active – a weightlifter, devoted “gym rat,” bicycle rider, and softball player well into his later years. He loved animals and music and enjoyed shooting the breeze with friends at The Hen House, where his humor and down-to-earth wisdom made him a favorite companion.  Some of his favorite songs including King of the Road, Life is a Cabaret and The Gambler, reflected his easy-going spirit and appreciation for life’s adventures.

Burt was preceded in death by his parents, Carroll Beem and Emma Thatcher; stepfather, Gerald “Red” Thatcher; sister, Marilyn Trede; stepbrother Dennis Thatcher; and his son, David Beem.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Lindy Beem; children Lori (Frank) Schwartz, Carol Huskey and Alan Beem; Tyson (Shellee) Taylor; Adam (Faith) Taylor and Justin (Ruth) Taylor; grandchildren Jared Schwartz and Jordan (Dan) Gibson; Brandon (Katie) Fitzpatrick; William, Sam, Sarah, Grace, Alivia, Scarlett, Roman, Gabe and Ben Taylor and great-grandchildren Graeme and Odette Gibson; and Riley and Connor Fitzpatrick; who will all carry forward his warmth and laughter.

A visitation for friends and family will be held on Friday, November 7th, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Chas. E. Davis Funeral Home in Inverness, FL, followed by a military service at The Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, FL.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Citrus County Foundation for Animal Protection at ccfap.net, Habitat for Humanity Citrus County at habitatcc.org, or HPH Hospice Chapters Health Foundation at chaptershealth.org.

Burt will be remembered for his strength, humor, and the easy way he made people feel at home – whether during family gatherings, at the gym, or over a cup of coffee. He leaves behind a legacy of kindness, resilience, and the joy of a life well lived.