Robin Beghtel

Robin Ann Beghtel passed away at the Peabody Healthcare Center in North Manchester. She was treated with compassionate and loving care in her final hours by members of her Peabody family Misty, Jenn, Sherry, Maddie, Sheila, Andrea, Tori, Lucy and Sam. Robin possessed a fierce will to live that she showed to all in her final months, days and hours. Even through the physical and mental challenges she faced daily, Robin maintained a grace, warmth and sense of humor that impressed those who knew her.

Robin was born in Norfolk, Virginia on February 19, 1955 to USMC Sgt. Nolan Litral and USWMC Sgt. Laurane (Shermata) Litral. The Litral family of Nolan, Laurane, Robin and her brothers Nolan Neil “Chick” and Lawrence “Larry” relocated to Huntington, Indiana where Robin graduated from Huntington North High School in 1973.

Professionally, Robin’s work career started as a life guard for the DNR at Huntington Beach, where she met her future husband Allen “Al” Beghtel, when Al and his best friend Ty repeatedly cruised by her life guard tower until she consented to “go for a ride” in their 18-foot Chrysler ski boat. Robin also taught many local youths to swim as a certified water safety and swim instructor at the local YMCA and Huntington College Merrillat Pool. She showed her artistic side as a flower arranger for Keefer Greenhouses in Huntington and used her love and compassion for animals working at “Doc” Hafner’s veterinary clinic. She schooled as an EMT at IPFW that led to a stint as a medical insurance prequalification tech. After she and Al moved to their 30-acre mini farm in North Manchester, she worked for several years as Office Manager at Yogi Disposal Service. Then Robin discovered her infatuation with horses when she took a job as a stable hand caring for Morgan horses at Triumph Stables in Columbia City, and after that as barn manager for Morgan Horse breeding farm Stonecroft Stables in Simpsonville, Kentucky.

That led to her starting Evergreen Farm horse boarding, breeding and rehab care at their North Manchester farm, which Robin filled with Morgan horses and all manner of big dogs, until Robin suffered liver disease that led to a total liver transplant in 2004, which eventually left her unable to work.

Robin married Vaughn Allen “Al” Beghtel at St. Peters Catholic Church in Huntington on August 17, 1974 and shared life’s adventures and friends for more than 51 years before her passing. Robin’s personality left a lasting impression on those who knew her. She loved cruising in her MGB convertible, and later her 88 Vette that she saved for and bought, much to Al’s chagrin. Her zest for life was only surpassed by her capacity to love and connect with others.

The loving memory of Robin Beghtel will be cherished forever by her husband Al and many that knew her. Robin was preceded in death by her parents and brothers, but is survived by step-sister, Cathey Litral; nephew Damian “Skip” Litral; niece Nikki Williams; and nephews Nolan and Josh Williams; as well as many “adopted” nephews and nieces, both local and afar, that will always remember fondly their “Cool Aunt Robin”.

Robin wished for no formal funeral or memorial services. Her family plans on a celebration of her life at a later date.

For those who wish to honor the memory of Robin Beghtel, memorial contributions may be made to the Wabash County Animal Shelter, 810 Manchester Avenue, Wabash, Indiana 46992 or the Huntington County Humane Society, 390 Thurman Poe Way, Huntington, Indiana, 46750.

The family of Robin Beghtel has entrusted McKee Mortuary with her care and final arrangements.