Bennie Beale, loving husband, daddy, father-in-law, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend to many, passed away peacefully on Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021 at Schulenburg Regency Nursing Center at the age of 93.
Bennie was born on Nov. 17, 1927 in Colony to Harry Ambrose and Alma Helmcamp Beale. After school, Bennie joined the Army and was proud of his enlistment from Feb. 15, 1946 to Sept. 13, 1947. Upon returning home he moved to San Antonio, where he went to work for Lone Star Brewery. Bennie was set up on a blind date with Bernice Thiede from Cistern and the rest is history. They married Oct. 1, 1951 and were together until Bernice’s passing March 7, 2007. They moved to Cistern upon the death of Bernice’s mother where they raised their daughters until moving to Flatonia in 1963. Upon moving back to Cistern, Bennie helped his father-in-law with his business, Cistern Nursery, thus instilling in Bennie his love of plants and trees. Bennie also worked as a land surveyor, oilfield gauger, bus driver, and opened Beale Nursery with Bernice. They sold shade trees, rose bushes, shrubbery, bedding plants and indoor plants, and had a fruit orchard where they sold peaches and pears.
Bennie was preceded in death by his spouse, parents, sister Emma and brother-in-law William Best, and sons-in-law Melvin Friedrich and Gary Greive.
Surviving Bennie are his daughters, Sharon Friedrich of Flatonia, and Cynthia (Allan) Stryk and Denise Greive of Praha. Also surviving him are his pride and joy, grandchildren Melissa (Eliot) Towb of Austin; Corey (Renee) Hall of Taylor; Amber (Matthew) Skillern of Houston; Joseph (Iana) Greive and John Greive of Bryan; Wade (Brenda) Friedrich of Flatonia; and Kay Lynn (Toby) Rothbauer of Moulton. Precious great-grandchildren Brooke and Tiffany Friedrich of Flatonia, Gwendolyn and Samuel Skillern of Houston, Courtney and Blake Hall of Taylor, Easton Rothbauer of Moulton, and Elizabeth and Emily Greive of Bryan, also survive him.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Flatonia American Legion Post 94, Schulenburg Regency Nursing Center Activity Department or Hospice of South Texas.
Visitation was held on Friday, Nov. 12, 2021 at Smith Funeral Home in Flatonia. Services were Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Flatonia with rosary beginning at 9:30 a.m., led by Joseph Gajdos, followed by Mass at 10 a.m., officiated by Fr. Eddie Winkler. Lector was Kathy Seale with music provided by D’vine Testament. Burial was in the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery with the Flatonia American Legion Honor Guard in attendance. Pallbearers were Allan Stryk, Corey Hall, Joseph Greive, Wade Friedrich, John Greive, Matthew Skillern, Toby Rothbauer and Paul Wayne Beale. Honorary pallbearers were Melissa Towb, Amber Skillern and Kay Lynn Rothbauer.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www. smithfuneralhomeflatonia.com for the Beale family. Smith Funeral Home of Flatonia (361-865-3311) was in charge of arrangements.