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MESOPOTAMIA -- Alice Ann Burge Bean earned her angel wings Wednesday evening, Nov. 12, 2025, at Eagle Pointe Nursing Home.
Alice was born Jan. 10, 1934, a twin, to the late John "Jack" Burge and Evelyn Gardiner Burge of Mesopotamia. She was 91 years old.
Alice lived in Mesopotamia all her life. She was among the first Mesopotamia 12th-grade classes to go to Bloomfield when the schools consolidated in 1950. She graduated as valedictorian in the Class of 1951, with Clara Grover as salutatorian -- two Mespo girls! She was very proud of that fact.
Alice loved to sing and sang in many high school musicals and at church. Growing up, Alice and her twin sister, Frances, were asked many times to sing at different functions. Alice also played first trumpet in the band at school.
Alice loved living the farm life and she loved her flowers and gardening. She was proud of her 1855 Gothic Revival home, built by the Lairds, using foundation stone cut from the quarry on the farm property.
In 1971, Bloomfield-Mespo's school charter was pulled by the state and they wanted them to consolidate with Farmington, Bristol and Southington. Alice, along with Marge Horvat of Bloomfield, formed SOS, Save Our Schools, and fought the state. With their efforts, they were able to raise money and bring people together to bring the schools up to state standards; they passed an 11.26-mill emergency levy for five years and the schools were then debt-free. The charter was reinstated in July 1985.
Alice worked in the office at the Geauga County Farm Bureau and became the head bookkeeper, starting in 1951. She worked there as they went through name changes, then retired from Western Reserve Farm Co-op in 1996.
Alice was a longtime member of Grange; started the Firefly's Auxiliary when the Mespo Fire Department was started; was active in PTO while her children were in school; was involved with the Mesopotamia Memorial and Historical Association, of which she was president for several years; helped put on Memorial Day and Mespo alumni dinners; was a lifetime member of Mesopotamia United Methodist Church; and was always ready to lend a helping hand when and wherever needed. Alice was a 4-H supporting mom to all her children. Alice was also instrumental in helping with the Mespo Ox Roast and Flea Market alongside her husband for many years.
Alice is survived by her children, Deborah (Allen) Miller of Mesopotamia, John Bean of Bristolville and Lisa Brode of Andover; grandchildren, Johnathon (Courtney) Bean, Julianne (Joshua) Kovein and Jen (Craig) Heefner; and several great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her ex-husband and father of her children, Robert H. Bean; son, Randy Bean; and twin sister, Frances Burge Rogers.
A celebration of life will begin with calling hours 10:30 a.m. until noon, followed by a noon service, Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, at the Fairview Cemetery Chapel, 8802 state Route 534, Mesopotamia, OH 44439. A life celebration meal will follow the service at the historical building.
In lieu of flowers, we ask that memorial contributions be made to the Mesopotamia Memorial and Historical Association, PO Box 54, Mesopotamia, OH 44439.
We would also like to thank the caring staff at Eagle Pointe Nursing Home, Orwell, and to Hospice of the Western Reserve, who helped look after Alice and kept her comfortable in her final days.
Memories and condolences can be shared with the family at www.slyffh.com.
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