Donn "Donnie" Beals

Mattoon, IL-Donn 'Donnie' P. Beals, age 59, of Mattoon, IL, passed away at 6:58 a.m., Sunday, December 14, 2014, at his residence, surrounded by his loving family.\r\n\r\nThe funeral service in his honor will begin at 10:00 a.m., Friday, December 19, 2014, at Broadway Christian Church , 1205 S. 9th Street, Mattoon, IL, with Reverend Kevin Wolfe officiating. Interment will be in Resthaven Memorial Gardens in Mattoon, IL. Visitation will be held Thursday evening from 4:00-7:00 p.m., also at Broadway Christian Church. Mitchell-Jerdan Funeral Home, located at 1200 Wabash Avenue, Mattoon, IL, 61938, is assisting the family with arrangements. \r\n\r\nBorn November 27, 1955, in Mattoon, IL, Donnie was the son of Walter P. Popendieker and Marjorie M. Shook. He married Janice Randolph on February 14, 1976. She survives. In addition to Janice, his loving wife of thirty-eight years, he is survived by his mother, Marjorie Beals of Mattoon, IL; his father, Walter Popendieker and wife Barb of Pennsylvania; three children, Tom Beals and wife Nicole of Charleston, IL, Andy Beals and wife Jenny of Decatur, IL, and Tyler Beals and wife Janarra of Chicago, IL; one sister, Jackie Brosam and husband Jim of Clinton, IN; two grandchildren, Logan and Avery Beals of Charleston, IL; his mother and father-in-law, Tom and Berdina Randolph of Lerna, IL; three brothers-in-law, Mike Randolph and wife Tresa of Mattoon, IL, Paul Randolph and wife Gail of Easlay, SC and Ed Maynard of Mattoon, IL ; one sister-in-law, Debbie Prahl of Mattoon, IL. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Loy and Daisy Shook; and a sister-in-law, Karon Maynard.\r\nMr. Beals was a member of the Broadway Christian Church. He had been employed as a production supervisor with R.R. Donnelly in Mattoon, IL, and toward the end of his career, was influential in the institution of process variation reduction at the Mattoon R.R. Donnelly plant. \r\n \r\nHe was instrumental in the development of many Mattoon baseball programs and, for more than thirty-five years, volunteered in all aspects of T-ball, Bambino, Jaycee, Babe Ruth, and American Legion Baseball leagues. He was a founder of the Mattoon Youth Basketball League, coached YMCA Soccer, and supported Lakeland College, Millikin College, and Illinois College sports programs. He was a passionate St. Louis Cardinals fan. \r\n\r\nDonnie was an avid reader and liked to publish his 'Thoughts for the Day' to share with others. He also enjoyed speaking to groups and individuals to help motivate them in all areas of their daily lives.\r\n\r\nAlthough baseball was a life-long love for Donnie, nothing brought him greater joy than spending time with his wife, children, and grandchildren. He was a loving husband, a devoted father, and adoring grandfather. \r\n\r\nMemorials in his honor may be made to the Donnie Beals Memorial Fund at First Mid-Illinois Bank and Trust to be used toward the promotion of Mattoon Baseball Programs and to construct a memorial in Donnie's honor. \r\n\r\nPlease visit www.mitchell-jerdan.com or www.facebook.com/mitchelljerdanfuneralhome to light a virtual candle in his honor or share a memory with his family. \r\n

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Donn "Donnie" Beals

November 27, 1955 - December 14, 2014