Joseph E. Andres

Joseph E. Andres, 69, of Beal City, passed away on March 13, 2026, at MyMichigan Medical Center in Alma after a courageous six-year battle with cancer. Born on August 10, 1956, in Isabella County, he was the eighth of nine children of Aloysius P. and Monica J. (Sheahan) Andres. He grew up alongside his siblings Philip, Gerald, Richard, Robert, Jacqueline, Mary, Margery, and Jean.

Joe graduated from Beal City High School in 1974 and married Elaine Cluley, the love of his life, on February 27, 1976, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Mt. Pleasant. They recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Together they raised four children: Stacy, Brian, Leslie, and Allison. Joe spent his life on the family dairy farm, eventually taking over operations with his brother Richard. He enjoyed playing cards, his annual fishing trips, toolin’ with friends, and checking the crops. His passion for farming lived on through his son Brian. A lifelong sports enthusiast, Joe loved playing, watching, and especially attending the games and events of his children and grandchildren, earning him the affectionate nickname “Front Row Joe.”

Family was at the center of Joe’s world, particularly his beloved grandchildren, each of whom he gave a special nickname. His humor remained with him until the very end.

He is survived by his wife, Elaine; his children, Stacy (Michael) O’Neal of Dewitt, Brian (Michelle) Andres of Mt. Pleasant, Leslie (Benjamin) Thielen of Beal City, and Allison (Levi) Woodbury of Beal City; and his grandchildren Kennedy, Nicole, Olivia, and Connor O’Neal, Alex (Katelen) Brown, Bailey (Cole) Fitzpatrick, Morgan Greening, Whitney Andres, Aubrey, Ashlyn, and Avan Thielen, and Blake and Jacqueline Woodbury. He is also survived by his siblings Philip (LDonna) Andres of Commerce Twp., Gerald (Marcia) Andres of Clarkston, Robert (Pam) Andres of Muskegon, Mary (Robert) Pasch of Beal City, Marge Allen of Whitmore Lake, and Jean (Randy) Fouty of Beal City; sister-in-law Barbara Andres of Beal City; and many nieces and nephews.