It is with great sadness that the family of (John) Beverly Prest announce his passing on Saturday, April 3, 2021 in his 73rd year, with his family by his side. Beloved husband of Karen for 53 years. Loving father of Kimberley (Dave) Francis and Tracy (Nik) Gizdic. Adored grandfather of Amberly, Alex, Morgan and Grayson. Loving Pa of honourary daughter Leeanne (Vince) Walter. He will be missed by his brothers Wayne of London, Jim of Bracebridge and Brian (Delores) of Acton as well as brother-in-law Jack (Sheila)Christianson of London and sister-in-law Lianne (Gerry) LeFaive of Gull Lake, Saskatchewan. Predeceased by his parents Marwood and Marjorie (Daley) Prest.
Bev was raised on a farm in McGillivray Township in a log cabin. In 1960, Bev and his family moved into town (Exeter, ON) where he lived until he married Karen in 1967. Bev loved the outdoors, from hunting, fishing, boating, swimming and camping with his family and friends. Later in life his family’s annual trip to the cottage where he taught his grandchildren to fish, took them for boat rides, made great campfires and had lots of laughs playing games into the night brought him great joy!
Bev owned and operated Fabric Master Cleaning Systems for 24 years. He was known for his strong work ethic and respected for his honesty. His attention to detail and doing a great job was a great source of pride for him.
He was also known in the community as a minister of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Bev worked selflessly in the community volunteering his time to share the practical and beneficial teachings found in the Bible. He worked hard to comfort and encourage others in times of needs, sharing his Bible based hope for a better future. As part of honouring his final requests, there will be no service held. (The family, in line with Bev’s wishes, are inviting all to visit www.jw.org where his faith in God’s Kingdom and the resurrection are clearly explained.) Even though this is a very sad time, Bev would direct everyone to the Bible to the wonderful hope that it contains of a resurrection to life in a paradise here on earth.
Special thanks to Dr. Sean Ryan, RN Cassie Parsons, and St Elizabeth Health Care, all the personal support workers and care givers of Southwest LHIN and Hospice at Home.
Thank you to everyone who sent notes of encouragement and prayers. A special thank you to the Brothers and Sisters of the Exeter Congregation for all the donations of food and flowers.
Along with expressions of sympathy and in lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate voluntary donations to be made online via www.jw.org to continue supporting the worldwide work, teaching, publishing and disaster relief work of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
We are always willing to go where called upon but this image shows a visual of the communities that our included in our initial transportation fee. We offer a 40km radius from any of our 5 locations (Arva (London), Exeter, Lucan, Seaforth, and Zurich). Any mileage beyond the included 40km will be charged a rate of $2.50/km (one way travel only).
Andrew McIntosh
Karen,
Cindy and I are so very sorry to hear about Bev. May Jehovah provide you with comfort and strength in the coming months. Bev was one of the most loving and encouraging men I have ever had the privilege of knowing.
He will be missed by all that knew him.
Please be assured of our love!
Andrew & Cindy McIntosh
John &Linda Barrett
So sorry to hear of your loss Karen & Family you are in our prayers and thoughts
John always enjoyed working with Bev they had a lot of laughs together
Brian and Lee-Ann Sleeman
Our condolences to Karen and the Prest family. Bev was an amazing person and friend. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
John Marjanek
All our warmest love and sympathy to Karen and entire family. Bev was a beautiful man in so many ways. May Jehovah give you all comfort at this time.
Jihn & Lisa Marjanek
Mark Heimrich
Karen, Kim, Tracy & Families;
My sincere condolences in the loss of your dear Husband and Dad. Bev was a great guy and was always very conscientious with his work whether for my parents or me. Mom & Dad and I always valued our friendship with your family. You continue to be in my thoughts.
Mark Heimrich
Carol Windsor
Karen, Brian & Delores and families
Very sorry to just be hearing of Bev’s passing. Karen, we had just talked about how things were going when you were in for service. I am very sorry for your loss. He was a wonderful man and will be missed dearly. Please know you are all in my thoughts at this difficult time.
Robert McBeath
Dear Karen
We are so saddened to hear about Bev passing away. He always made me smile when we visited your congregation. He will definitely be missed. Stay close to your spiritual family. They, along with the rest of your family, will help you get through this. Remember even death cannot separate us from God’s love (Romans 8:38,39).
We hope to see you soon.
Corky and Colette
Carol (Ross) Coleman
Dear Karen and family,
We are thinking of you and sending heartfelt condolences at this sorrowful time.
Sheila Daley
To my dear cousins:
My deapest love and condolences. I will always remember Bev for his happy nature, contagious laugh, beautiful smile, loving marriage and famiy life, strong faith and ministry, which seemed to come so naturally to him. He could offer such beautiful, heartfelt prayers and words of comfort and wisdom. He learned and lived the lessons taught by Aunt Marge and Uncle Marwood and became a family man of strong character. All of my memories with him are of happy family times – welcoming visits, country days, hay rides, campfires, picnics of delicious meals, and country music. I am so thankful to have had Bev, and all of you in my life.
Cyndy Winkler
For all of the 73 years that Bev was on this earth, he lived an honest and good life, loving and caring for his wife and daughters. He was a cousin with whom I spent many enjoyable and fun summers growing up. His smile was genuine and honest. He lived a very good life which was based on his firm belief in his faith. He lived honourably by helping others and followed an excellent work ethic. He will be remembered by many and missed by all who have crossed his path. Karen, Tracy, Kim and family, the memory of his suffering will be with you for awhile but soon you will be remembering him as he was before his illness–being active, involved, laughing and cavorting in the activities he loved to participate in. Your tears will turn to smiles then, as you remember the beautiful memories your family have shared.
Bob and Martha Heywood
Karen and family:
Sending this message to extend our sincere thoughts and condolences in your loss. I found Bev to be a real gentleman and someone who was kind and conscentious in his words and in the way he conducted his business. I know he will be missed byhis family and friends.
Kay Tripp
Karen and Families……I send my sincere condolences to you…your loved one will surely be missed…his love will always be with you…hold on…Kay
George and Sue Wilson
Prest family, Bev was a friendly man. Remember your special memories. You are in our thoughts and prayers. George and Sue Wilson
Mike Esch
Dear Karen and family,
We were saddened to hear about Bev’s passing. He was a great neighbour for many, many years. Often we were both cutting grass side-by-side and we would stop to catch up for a few minutes.
Mike and Katherine Esch
Ralph Wells
Our sincere condolences to Karen and family. Bev was a sincere and caring man. We greatly appreciated his patience in training and care when purchasing your business . Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers. Ralph , Heather, Erin and Emily
Linda Fahner
Karen & family… I am so sorry to hear of Bev’s passing. I always enjoyed your visits at the farm as well as in town after I moved. He will be greatly missed by so many. All the good memories will keep him with you always. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Linda Fahner & Dennis Vere
John Kronenberg
I am so sorry to hear of Bev’s passing. The Kronenberg family have fond memories of Bev and his brothers when we were younger. Our condolences to your family and may Jehovah comfort you . John and Bonnie Kronenberg
Paul & Sherry Taylor
So sorry to hear about the passing of our faithful brother Bev. Always found Bev very kind and easy to talk to regards congregation matters or when he looked after the First Aid Dept. at the circuit level. His kind and loving spiritual manner is a good memory of Bev and a good example for us to follow. We look forward to seeing him again.
All our love and prayers to the family.
Karen Haefling
I will miss Bev’s smile and discussions about Jehovah’s kingdom at my door and in my kitchen. He was a kind man. Sincerest sympathies to Karen and family.
Cindy Davidson
Karen, Kim, Tracy & family
My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Bev, was such a genuine person, one that I was proud to call both my cousin and friend.
You could always count on him. He reminded me so much of Uncle Marwood with his gentle approach and gentlemanly characteristics. I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to spend time with him over the last few years.
Rest in peace, until we meet again.
Love,
Cindy
Michael Veri
Our deepest condolences Karen and Family. Thinking of you.
Mike and Lynn Veri
Don Stewart
So sorry to hear of Bevs passing. Sincere condolences to your family
Mark and Judy Cronyn
Dear Karen and Family.
So sorry to hear of Bev’s passing. Our deepest condolence to you and your family.
Peggy Wilkinson
Karen & Family:
Karen we are so sorry to read of Bev’s passing, Our thoughts go out to you and your family during this difficult time….
Joanne & Peggy Wilkinson
Eric & Anita Heyblom
Dear Karen
We are saddened to hear about Bev’s passing. The sting of a our loved ones falling asleep in death is probably the one thing that reminds us of just how wonderful the bible’s promise is of a future resurrection of life right back here on earth.
We were in Exeter for a few short years and have fond memories of being with Bev in service, at the meetings and we had a great book study group at your place at one time, remember?
We also enjoyed being able to work with the both of you on the insurance cleaning jobs, and me being able to help Bev out with some of those painting jobs too. And yes it is true…Bev was a perfectionist which brought anyone who worked with him a sense of pride in a job well done. And I remember Bev’s smiles when he knew we were doing our best! Not too mention all the good times, because we sure did a lot of laughing.
What a wonderful time it will be when Bev comes back to life. And to think…he will be one of the very first that we welcome back!
Dave Frayne and Cathy Cade
To Karen, family and friends:
Sorry to learn of Bev’s passing.
Our thoughts are with you.
Don and Carol Stuckless
Karen and family. We were saddened to hear of Bevs passing. I have known Bev for many years going back to the early 80’s. He was such a calming person and was so easy to get a smile or chuckle out of. I remember him more often than not with sweat dripping off his nose. A hard worker for sure but even then he’d greet you with a smile. He was a great guy and will surely be missed. Our thoughts are with you.
Lori Facchinato
We are thinking of you all…our hearts are with you.
Lori, Alan , Jori & Lorissa xxxx
Tyler Prest
I will always remember the great times I had when visiting Uncle Bev’s farm as a youngster, a lot of happy memories there. I’m sad to hear of his passing but I’m comforted in knowing that he’ll be with us again soon where I will get to know him even better.
I’m thinking of all of you during this difficult time.
Paul and Natalie Hopper
So sorry to hear of your loss. Sending our love and keeping you in our prayers.
Stephen Massey
Dear Karen!
It has been a pleasure over the past decade or so to get to know you and Bev at Congregation meetings and at Conventions. You both have exhibited a loyal confident trust in our God Jehovah, a trust worth imitating and a trust Jehovah will remember. May you find comfort and support in the fine Brothers and Sisters in the Exeter Congregation and in our confidence in what Jehovah has promised for the future!
Very sorry for your loss.
Stephen & Sharon Massey
Amherstburg South Congregation
Margaret Brintnell
So sorry to hear about Bev. My sympathy to you Karen and all the family.
Margaret Brintnell
Betty Prest
Karen, Kim, Tracy and family
Bev was truly “the best” nephew one could ask for. He always supported me and my family during both sad and happy times. I can never remember a time that Bev wasn’t there to support us and will truly miss his visits and phone calls and gentle soul. Bev was a true gentleman with impeccable manners. He will be truly missed.
Love
Aunt Betty
Barry Prest
Uncle Bev will be missed by all. Lucy and I send our deepest condolences.
Morley and Bonnie Obre
Karen and family
We are so sad to hear of Bev’s passing. Know that our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Pauline Hogan
To Karen and Family,
We are saddened to hear of Bev’s passing and are sending condolences to the whole family. He was a great man and a great friend to Peter.
Joe and Pauline Hogan
Shawn & Colleen Falkingham
We are so very sorry to hear of Bevs death.He was truly a wonderful man.
Karen our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Looking forward to the paradise.
Rob & Sue McNall
You are in our thoughts and prayers.
May you find peace from Jehovah and his comfort.
Larry & Donna Shapton
Dear Karen, Kim, Tracy and families, We were so saddened to hear of Bev’s passing and want to offer all of you our most heartfelt sympathy. Bev will be missed by so many. We’re sure he’s hunting, fishing and enjoying the great outdoors even as we speak. God Bless… Larry & Donna Shapton
Evelyn Vincent
Karen & family
Sincere sympathy in your great loss.
Dave Gill
I am sorry to hear of Bev’s passing. My condolences to Karen and family. I always enjoyed Bev’s visits with the boat!
Dave Gill
Mel And Kathy Winger
Sorry to hear of Bev,s passing. Our condolences to the family
Dave Divjak
All our love to Karen and the family. Bev was truly a beautiful man. Who will be missed dearly. But we will see him soon.