OBITUARY: Orval Gary “Sam” Beal

Orval Gary "Sam" Beal, age 72 of Metropolis, passed away Monday, May 4, 2015, at his residence.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 8, 2015, at the Aikins-Farmer Funeral Home with the Rev. Frank Forthman officiating. Burial will follow in the Masonic Cemetery in New Columbia.

Sam was an iron worker and Boilermaker of Local No. 782, a Mason of Local No. 336 and No. 771, former Master Mason of New Columbia Lodge No. 336 and a member of New Hope Baptist Church. Gary also taught welding through Shawnee Community College.

Sam is survived by his wife, Nancy Beal of Grantsburg; one son, Jeff Beal of Metropolis; one brother, Mickey Beal of Metropolis; one sister, Carol Rutherford of Harrisburg; four stepchildren, Vicki Wilke and husband Billy of Karnak, Tim Williams of Marion, Christina Floyd of Grantsburg, Daniel Williams and wife Bridget of Mt. Vernon; several stepgrandchildren; and nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Orval and Helen (McMahan) Beal; one son, Sammy Beal; one sister, Charlene Waddell; one niece, Kim Beal; and one nephew, Danny Waddell.

Visitation will be held 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, May 7, 2015, at the Aikins-Farmer Funeral Home.

Expressions of sympathy may be given in Mr. Beal's name to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1000 Dept. 142 Memphis, Tenn. 38101-9908.

Online condolences may be left at www.aikinsfarmer-millerfh.com.