On Sunday, February 23, 2025, our whole world changed once again when my loving, wonderful Dad, Herschel Frank Beane, at 93, quietly decided he’d missed Mom long enough and peacefully left us to join her in heaven.
Dad would be the first to say he had a great life. He was born the youngest of three sons from parents Clyde and Fern (Craig) Beane, on July 20, 1931, at Alton Memorial Hospital.
He spent his early childhood growing up on Evergreen Street in Alton, until his father decided that farm life in Godfrey would be better for his boys. Dad loved living in the country; he worked hard on the farm, learning everything he could about growing crops, caring for livestock, and became a pretty great mechanic as he worked on farm equipment and tinkered with his many favorite cars.
He talked his mother into signing for him to join the United States Marine Corp Reserves before graduating at 17 from Alton High School and moving to Wisconsin with his folks. Dad was called into active duty in September of 1950 and was so proud to be a U.S. Marine. Farm life definitely prepared him for the structure and discipline of the military, and he was deployed to Korea as a Corporal to operate and maintain Amphibian tractor fleets in Pusan and Masan. Before his relief from active duty in 1952, Dad rose to the rank of Staff Sargent and served in the reserves until his honorable discharge in 1956. He continued his support of veterans as a life-time member of the Alton VFW and through generous donations to veteran support organizations.
When Dad returned home to Alton, he met his first and only sweetheart, Marjorie A. Johnson, and they married in June of 1954. Dad was fascinated with Mom’s musical ability, and would sit and listen to her for hours sing and play the piano. His job with Millers Mutual Insurance transferred him from Alton to Springfield, Missouri, where he and Mom settled into a comfortable life until I came along in 1964. Once I was born, they bought a farm and moved back to Godfrey, built a beautiful home, and quickly became the very best parents any daughter could ask for. The house was always open and welcoming to family, friends, and neighbors. I especially enjoyed our wonderful driving vacations all over the United States, and annual trips to Daytona Beach Florida. Dad was devoted to me and Mom, and also very kind, helpful, and loving to his parents as they aged.
Dad was a very hard worker all his life, and enjoyed the feeling of a job well done. He loved fixing things, learning new skills, and was generous with his time and knowledge when working with others. This became even more evident when his much loved son-in-law Lance joined the family in 1988 and began working with him around the farm, side-by-side. Throughout his life, Dad had many careers and interests. He was a farmer, cab driver, mechanic, U.S. Marine, private pilot, insurance executive, small business owner, stationary fireman, and proudly served his community through the Lion’s Club, as a Board Member for the Godfrey Cemetery, as an Auditor for Godfrey Township, and then as a Madison County Board member for 12 years. When he retired, Dad continued to work on the family farm, but could finally devote more time to his favorite pastime - GOLF. He had so much fun organizing golf outings with his buddies – Charlie, Casey, Kenny, and Fred. They played all over Missouri and Illinois, and even played in Orange Beach Alabama when he and Mom vacationed there in the winters.
When Mom passed away in 2020, Lance and I had the privilege of hanging out with and caring for Dad over the last 4+ years. His goal was to never leave the farm he and Mom so lovingly created, and we honored his wishes as he gracefully aged. Dad’s dry humor, quick wit, big smile, upbeat attitude, listening skills, and zest for life were some of his best qualities, as many of his family, friends, co-workers, and caregivers can confirm.
Herschel is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Belinda and Lance Feezel of Godfrey, Illinois and many much loved nieces and nephews, and cherished friends. Dad was preceded in death by his lovely wife Marjorie; his parents; and brothers Craig (Laura) Beane and Jim (Elizabeth) Beane.
Gent Funeral Home in Alton is entrusted with all arrangements, and final services with full military honors for Herschel will be held privately at the Godfrey Cemetery. If friends or family wish to send a memorial in Dad’s honor, please consider donating to organizations that serve and benefit our military veterans.
Lance and I, along with Dad as he expressed many, many times, are truly grateful for the care, support, and contribution of so many – the hard working individuals of the home-based programs and medical teams of the St. Louis VA; the Delta Center; Tycon Construction; his private physician, fabulous nurses, and loving, dedicated caregivers from the Jersey County Health Department and Home Instead of Jacksonville. And finally – to the loyal and devoted family members and friends who visited him at the farm, called and talked daily, and checked-in with all of us on a regular basis…we can’t thank you enough.
Online guestbook and information may be found at www.gentfuneralhome.com.
