CNHI
MT. VERNON —
Lawrence J. Beal, 72, of Richview, passed away at 4:45 a.m. Monday, Sept. 6, 2010, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis.
He was born May 6, 1938, in Dix, the son of OJ “Thel” and Blanche (Elliot) Beal. In 1963, he married Sandra J. Webb, then on Jan. 30, 1999, he married Peggy Myers, and she survives in Richview.
Mr. Beal was the founder and chairman of National Railway Equipment Company, headquartered in Mt. Vernon, and served on the Jefferson County Economics Committee and the Rend Lake College Foundation Board. He was a valued patron and member of Cedarhurst Center for the Arts and was very involved in the campaign to expand the museum. He was also a member of Centralia Elks 493 and various railroad organizations. He was of the Christian faith and was an avid fisherman and golfer. He attended Williams one room Grade School and Rome Township School.
He is survived by his wife, Peggy Beal of Richview; a son, Steven L. Beal of Mt. Vernon; daughter, Susan Beal Frangella and husband Patrick of Orland Park; a step daughter, Tahnissa Means of Centralia; brother Pete Beal and wife Mary Lee of Boyd; brother Clifford Beal of Mt. Vernon; brother Clyde Beal and wife Bonnie of Mt. Vernon; sister Ada Standerfer and husband Jerry of Mt. Vernon; brother Paul Beal and wife Charlotte of Bonnie; a sister-in-law, Cathy Beal of Sandwich; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
Mr. Beal is preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Ron Beal.
Services will be held Monday at 10 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Mt. Vernon with the Rev. Robert Dyer officiating. A private interment service will follow at Pleasant Hill Cemetery.
Friends may call from 4 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the church.
Memorials may be made to St. Jude's Children's Hospital and will be received at the Osborn Funeral Home, P.O. Box 130, Dix, IL 62830.
Online condolences and obituary information may be viewed at www.osbornfuneralhomeinc.com.
