Rupert Nelms Beetham, 68, of Cadiz, died Sunday, April 17, at Liza’s Place in Wheeling. He was born Oct. 12, 1947 in Columbus, Ohio, a son of the late Thomas and Anna Nelms Beetham.
Mr. Beetham was an Attorney-at-Law in Cadiz since 1972. He is the oldest practicing Attorney in Harrison County and the oldest member of the Harrison County Bar Association. After graduating from Cadiz High School, he received his undergraduate degree from The Ohio State University and his Juris Doctor from The Moritz College of Law at The Ohio State University.
He received the second highest score on the Ohio State Bar Exam in February, 1972 and worked as an Assistant Attorney General for Ohio before returning to Cadiz to practice law. He served as an Assistant Harrison County Prosecutor, was a former Acting Harrison County Court Judge and was a former Solicitor for the Villages of Cadiz and Scio. He was a past president of the Harrison County Society for Crippled Children and Adults, a long-time member of the Cadiz and Harrison Central Booster Clubs, a former trustee and past president of the Harrison County Community Improvement Corporation, and a member of the Cadiz Fraternal Order of Eagles and the Cadiz American Legion.
When his children were young, he coached biddy league football and wrestling, was a volunteer assistant junior high football coach, and was a member of the Wrestling Parents Club for many years. He was a member of Scott United Methodist Church, and was an avid golfer and the President of the Cadiz Country Club for twenty five years.
Surviving are his wife, Bonnie Smith Beetham; three children, Christopher (Alexandria) Beetham of Mt. Gilead, Meghan (Thomas) Owings of Medina, and Daryck (Stephanie) Beetham of Hayesville, NC; nine grandchildren: Makayla, Jack, Leora, Sammy, Marshal, Evan, Ruby, Daryck Marshal and Alyssa; and a faithful nephew, Owen (Porsche) Beetham and their children, Phoebe and Adaline.
Friends may call Friday, April 22, from 4:30 p.m. until time of memorial service at 6 p.m. at Scott United Methodist Church, 817 E. Market St., Cadiz, Ohio. Rev. Mark Smith and Rev. Robert Hooker will officiate. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to the Cadiz High School Alumni Scholarship Fund, Inc., 172 S. Main St., Cadiz, OH 43907, where a scholarship is being established in Mr. Beetham’s name. Online condolences may be made at www.clark-kirkland.com