Melvin F. Beal, 78, Forrest died at 10:40 am Sunday, August 29, 2010 at his residence in Forrest.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am Wednesday, September 1, 2010 at the First Baptist Church, Fairbury with Pastor Steve Anderson officiating. Inurnment will be at 3:00 pm Friday, September 3, 2010 in Forrest Twp. cemetery with full military rites conducted by the Forrest American Legion and the Fairbury VFW.

Visitation will be from 4:00 to 8:00 pm Tuesday at the First Baptist Church, Fairbury. Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Fairbury is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials be given to the Forrest American Legion; Forrest Fire Department; or the OSF St. James Hospice.

Mr. Beal was born December 26, 1931 in Minonk, IL the son of William and Magdalene Timmerman Beal. He married Dorothy Steidinger on October 12, 1952 in Strawn, IL. She survives in Forrest, IL.

Also surviving are three sons, Mark (Paula) Beal, Todd (Sandy) Beal and Keith (Denise) Beal all of Forrest, IL, one daughter, Lisa Lowery, Chatsworth, IL, nine grandchildren, three great grandchildren, two brothers, William Eugene Beal, Forrest, IL and John (Nancy) Beal, Hammond, IN.

He is preceded in death by two brothers, Duane and Glen Beal and a son-in-law, Randy Lowery.

Mr. Beal was a 1950 graduate of Forrest-Strawn-Wing High School. He served in the US Army during the Korean War (5/15/1952 – 4/16/1954) obtaining the rank of CPL. He was a retired bulk feed truck driver having worked at Honegger Feeds and later the Forrest FS.

He was a member of the Forrest American Legion and the Fairbury VFW and had attended the First Baptist Church of Fairbury.