John Bea

It is with great sadness that the family of John “JR” Bea announces the passing of their beloved son, father, husband, brother and grandfather. John passed away at home on March 23, 2024 after a prolonged and most courageous battle with cancer.

John was born April 22, 1966. He was the son of John and Kathy Smith Bea.

He was a 1984 graduate of Wallenpaupack High School. In school he played basketball and golf. He was the individual Golf Champion of District 12 in 1984.

John was a self-taught building contractor and owner of JR BEA Construction working in Wayne and Pike counties. He specialized in home construction and remodeling as well as constructing steal buildings. He was last employed as a finishing carpenter for Coutts Construction. In addition to his own work, he built a home for his parents in White Mills and his own family in Honesdale from the years of 2003 to 2006.

He was a past president of the Wayne County Builders Association. He spearheaded a contingent from Wayne County to help build a specially adopted home for a wounded combat veteran in Scranton. It was part of a Nationwide Home for our troops. He was also very involved in helping construct the CJR Memorial Park Playground in Bingham Park, Hawley. It is a special needs playground.

John is survived by his wife, Kristen who has painstakingly taken care of John at home for the last several years; his parents of White Mills and a sister Rene’ Krause and Jim, of Honesdale, Pa.

Also surviving are his beloved daughter Kalean Mitchell and Nolan; Kalean’s mother Tammie of Palm Coast, Florida, and his other pride and joy, granddaughter, Paislee Rae Mitchell. The Mitchells reside in Rock Hill, NY.

Additional survivors include former step-children Sarah Stanton, Omaha, NE, Cody and Cindy Stanton and children, Nora and Barrett, Jefferson Twp, Pa. Also Shawn Hewitt and wife Elyssa, New Windsor NY and Katie a student at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy NY and Nick, Wilkes Barre, PA. Also, father-in-law, Roger Hewitt, Stony Point, NY.

He is also survived by Aunts and Uncles and Cousins. He was predeceased by a dear cousin, Tina Augello. He also leaves behind his adopted shelter dog, Loki.

He will be truly missed by family and friends. A visitation will be held Tuesday April 2, 11:00-1:00 at Hessling Murray Funeral Home, 428 Main St. Honesdale. Private services will be held at the convenience of the family.

The family is most thankful for the services provided by Wayne Memorial Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that friends make a donation to their favorite charity.