John Dale "Jack" Beabout

CHARLESTON, IL -- John Dale "Jack" Beabout, age 77 of Charleston, passed away on Monday, June 20, 2005 at his home. Adams Funeral Chapel will host Services celebrating his life on Thursday (June 23) at 10:00 a.m. with Pastor Bruce Osborne officiating. Interment, with Military Rites conducted by the Honor Guard of Veterans of Foreign Wars Paul McVey Post 1592 of Charleston, will be in Roselawn Cemetery, Charleston. Visitation will be Wednesday evening from 4:30 – 7:00 at the funeral chapel. Jack was born January 21, 1928 in Charleston, Illinois the son of Owen Dale and Flora (Oakley) Beabout. He married Elizabeth Massengale in Texas and was later united in marriage to Nancy Strong on May 31, 1974 in Mattoon, Illinois. He is survived by Nancy, his loving wife of thirty-one years; two sons, Arthur C. Beabout and his wife Dee of Ashmore, Illinois and Mark Beabout and his wife Julie of Charleston; two daughters, Diana Walton and her husband Will of Mt. Auburn, Illinois and Flora Beabout of Mattoon; six grandchildren, Josh Walton of Decatur, Illinois and Travis Walton of Lovington, Illinois, Rachel Alejandro and her husband A.J. of Sedalia, Missouri, Leah Beabout of New York City, Leslee Beabout and Lacee Beabout, both of Charleston; and two great grandchildren, Faith Walton and Elizabeth Walton of Decatur. Jack was preceded by his father; his mother and stepfather, Hiram and Flora Bryant; a son, John Dale Beabout, Jr.; and two sisters, Margie Catron and Frances McCullough. Senior Master Sergeant John Beabout retired from the United States Air Force in 1966 following twenty-two years of service and was a Veteran of World War II, the Korean Conflict and Vietnam. Following his military service he accepted a position with the Illinois Department of Transportation and later with the Illinois Secretary of State Office. In 1972 Jack became a full-time grain farmer in the Charleston and Mattoon area and also worked alongside Nancy at Nancy's Lettering, always offering to her his encouragement and support. Jack was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Mattoon. He was a life member of the B36 Association and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Paul McVey Post 1592 of Charleston of which he was Past Sr. Vice Commander and Honor Guard Participant. He was also a Charleston Country Club and Coles County Farm Bureau member. Jack enjoyed traveling and the annual reunion of the B36 Association always gave him and Nancy a reason to pack their bags. He also enjoyed bowling, golfing, NASCAR (he was a Dale Earnhart fan), and was a National Go-Kart Champion in the early 1960's. He was genuine in his desire to help people – he assisted with Bingo at the VFW, helped with the Kickapoo Ramblers 4-H Club, gave his granddaughters assistance with their show cattle at various events and played the role of Thomas Lincoln as a Lincoln Log Cabin Volunteer. Jack will forever be remembered for his contagious sense of humor and the many kindnesses he extended to others. Jack's family requests that Memorials in his honor be made to Lincolnland Hospice or the Honor Guard of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Paul McVey Post 1592 of Charleston. Gifts may be left on the Memorial Table at the Visitation or Services or mailed to Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Drive, Charleston, IL 61920. To sign the online guestbook, go to www.jg-tc.com and click on obituaries.