George "Andy" Beutter

George Andrew “Andy” Beutter, 71, of South Bend passed away on Saturday July 2, 2022 following a short illness. Andy was born in Mishawaka, IN on September 19, 1950, to George and Zuella (Osmundson) Beutter. He is survived by his wife, Janice (Games); his children, Sara (Casey) Manus, Robert (Keith) Beutter, and Erin (Erik) Bruner; grandchildren, Ethan and Wyatt; mother, Zuella (Osmundson) Beutter; aunt, Lois (Beutter) Meissner; siblings John (Deborah Zinn) Beutter, Thomas (Mary Beth) Beutter, and Elizabeth (Andrew) Borowski; and nine nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, George; and an aunt, Delores Schlarb.

Andy was a loving husband, father, grandfather, son, and friend. He grew up on a dairy farm on the southside of South Bend. He attended Penn High School, where he met the love of his life, Janice, whom he had been happily married to for almost 50 years. They wed on August 5, 1972 and had three wonderful children.

He attended Indiana University where he majored in Secondary Education. He also wrote for the Indiana Daily Student and was active in student government. He graduated in 1974 and completed his student teaching at Riley High School. He then returned to work on the family farm and at Hilltop Market, followed by time working for Production Credit (Farm Credit) and in management for McDonalds before finding his true calling–insurance and financial advising.

He started his career at Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance in 1988. He loved sales, but the service part of his job was the most important thing to him. He understood the importance of protecting one’s family and helping people get the services they needed. He treated his clients like family.

Andy spent 34 years as an agent for Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance where he served on the company’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. He earned a number of professional designations, including LUTCF, FSS, LACP, and a degree from the American Management Association. He was a long-time member of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) where he held many positions, including President of NAIFA Indiana. He was honored with the Jack Peckinpaugh Associate of the Year award in 2018, the highest and most prestigious award within the NAIFA organization.

Andy was an active member of the Indiana farming community, working with the St. Joseph County Farm Bureau, St. Joseph County 4-H program, Young Farmers, and St. Joseph County Ag Days. He still had a thriving farm, growing soybeans and corn.

Always ready to lend a hand, Andy was involved in numerous community and charitable organizations. He was the President of the Riley Band Boosters, member of the Center Township 4-H Board, and a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity.

The most important thing to Andy was kindness and loving others. He was a friend to everyone and always spoke up for those who needed a voice. His family was his pride and joy. He loved to cook and host big family holidays. He was a life-long Chicago Cubs fan and an avid supporter of Notre Dame Women’s Basketball, the Chicago Bears, and the Chicago Blackhawks. Andy loved music, the theater, and most of all, Disney.

Andy’s friends would describe him as larger than life, always ready for a good laugh, and an unwavering optimist who always saw the good in people. Andy will be missed for his quick wit, his big smile, and his passion for life. True to the spirit of how he lived his life, his final words to his family were, “Love each other.”

Visitation will be held on Saturday, July 9, 2022 from 1:00 – 5:00 pm, followed by a Celebration of Life and Sharing of Memories at 5:00 pm all at Goethals & Wells Funeral Home - 503 W 3rd St, Mishawaka, IN 46544.

For the protection of everyone in attendance, the family requests all visitors wear properly fitted masks during the visitation and service.

Andy’s final resting place will be close to the family farm at Ferrisville Cemetery where he will be buried during a private ceremony.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages memorial contributions be given to Habitat for Humanity of St. Joseph County, https://www.hfhsjc.org/donate/, or WNIT PBS Michiana, https://www.wnit.org/support/.