John E. Beals

John E. Beals, age 81, died Wednesday, May 7, 2008, at Friends Fellowship Community, Richmond, Ind., surrounded by his loving family. John was a graduate of Earlham College. He was a birthright Quaker, an active and longtime member of First Friends Meeting, participating in Stephen Ministries and singing in the choir. In 1954 he started his surveying career. In 1968 he was president of the Indiana Professional Society of Land Surveyors (IPSLS). In 1974 he was given the IPSLS Bridge Award for “Distinguished Service of this decade; for the betterment of the Society, the Profession and the future of mankind.” In 1986 he received another Bridge Award to honor IPSLS members who encourage aspiring young surveyors, and established a committee to create a 4-year surveying program at Purdue, the first of its kind in the nation. He represented IPSLS in London, England, at their International Conference. He enjoyed family camping, making apple cider and raising African violets. In 1992 he began his bread ministry, baking and giving out over 2,000 loaves of bread. A resident of FFC since 2002, he is survived by his wife, Carol, whom he married in 1950; twin daughters, Leslie Hall and Lynn Beals, Fountain City, Ind.; daughter, Laura Beeler, Peru, Iowa; sons-in-law, Arlo Hall and Gary Beeler; grandchildren, Hallie, Madison and Forrest Beeler of Peru, Iowa; sister, Ellen Burns, Crawfordsville, Ind.; sister and brother-in-law, Olive and George Ranck, Williamsburg, Ind.; dear nieces and nephews. The son of the late Jesse and Della Beals, he was also preceded in death by his son, Robert E. Beals in 1991, and his sister, Phyllis Kendall in 1999. Visitation for John E. Beals will be from 4-7 p.m. Friday, May 9, 2008, at Doan & Mills Funeral Home, 790 National Road W., Richmond. A memorial service will be at held in the Community Room of Friends Fellowship, 2030 Chester Blvd., on Saturday, May 10 at 2 p.m. with Doug Gwyn and Maureen McCarthy officiating. Burial will be in Earlham Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First Friends Meeting New Piano Fund, 2010 Chester Blvd., Richmond, IN 47374.

John E. Beals

March 22, 1927 - May 7, 2008