O.J. "Thel" Beal, 88, of Route 1 Dix, died 3:15 a.m. at Good Samaritan Regional Health Center.

Mr. Beal was a retired farmer.

Born march 20, 1908, in Jefferson County, he was the son of Alva J. and Bessie (Whitson) Beal.

He married Blanche Elliott on Sept. 28, 1929, in Detroit, and she preceded him in death on June 24, 1984.

Services will be 1 p.m. Thursday at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church with the Rev. Arnold Peterson officiating. Burial will be in Pleasant Hill Cemetary. Friends may call after 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Osborn Funeral Home in Dix.

Mr. Beal was a member of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church.

Survivors include six sons, Pete Beal of Salem, Clifford Beal and wife Effie of Mt. Vernon, Clyde Beal of Mt. Vernon, Lawrence Beal and wife Sandra of Orland Park, Ron Beal and wife Cathy of Lockport and Paul Beal and wife Charlotte of Bonnie; a daughter, Ada Standerfer and husband Jerry of Mt. Vernon; 23 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren; three brothers, George Beal and wife Reva of Moweaqua; Mort Beal and wife Wilhelemine of Dix; and Jim Beal and wife Jean of Mt. Vernon; and three sisters, Isabelle Champ of Dix, Bessie Elliott of Mt. Vernon and Lillie Arnett and husband Harry of Texico.

He was preceded in death by his parents;wife; five brothers, Thurston, John, Oscar, Robert and Fred Beal; and one sister, Maude Chandler.

Memorials may be made to the Pleasant hill Baptist Church and will be received at the Osborn Funeral home in Dix.

Source: Mt. Vernon Register News
Date: August 7, 1996
Submitted by: Tom Standerfer
Relationship: Grandson