In Memory of . . . Wells E. Behee (1925-2011)

The Rev. Wells E. Behee died on December 15, 2011. He was 86 years old.
Rev. Behee died as a result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident on
December 13, 2011, which also resulted in the death of his beloved wife of 62
years, Mary (Newhall) Behee.

Rev. Behee was born
on the Hurd Farm, in Royalston Township, Niagara
County, New York on
October 22, 1925 to Elmer Judson Behee and Edna Behee Lofthouse Sullivan. Behee
graduated from St. Lawrence University in 1949 and received his Master of
Divinity from Canton
Theological School
in 1951.

He was ordained in
1953 in New Madison, OH. He was called to serve from 1951-1953 by the
Universalist Church of Woodstock, OH; from 1953-1956 by the Universalist Church
in Eldorado, OH ; and from 1956-1963 by the Universalist Church in New Madison, OH.

He went on to
receive his Master of Education from Miami
University and then teach
high school in Arcanum, OH. He also served as special education coordinator for
the Mansfield, OH schools. In addition, he was a Boy Scout
master and coached his children in Olympic marathon canoeing. He enjoyed
classical music, art, literature, genealogy, and gardening. He and his wife,
Mary, were best friends and enjoyed traveling together.

Rev. Behee is
survived by five children (and their partners); Kathy Becker and husband Myron
of Wendell, MA; Karyl Parks and husband Jeff of New
Madison, OH; Kris Rantz of New Madison, OH; Emerson Behee and wife Bonnie of
Ithaca, OH; and Karen Fageol and husband Geoff of Decatur, OH. He also leaves
several grandchildren; Jeremiah Parks, Derik Ervin, Ayla Ervin, Amanda Behee,
Kevin Behee, and Lori Rantz, and five great-grandchildren; Seth and Bryn
Orrin-Brown, Brandon Parks, and Erin Michele Ervin, with another
great-grandchild expected. He was predeceased by his parents, Edna Sullivan and
Elmer Judson Behee; his sisters, Melva Roberts and Fern Jean Lackey; and his
grandson, Aaron Dean Rawlings.

Rev. Behee donated
his body to Anatomical Gift, Wright
State University,
therefore, memorial services will be held at an undetermined later date.
Donations in his memory may be given to the New Madison Friends of the Library,
142 North Main Street,
New Madison, OH 45346. Notes of condolence may be sent to the family care of
Karyl Parks, 4221
Hollansburg-Arcanum Road, Greenville,
OH 45331.

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