Royal D. Beals, 92, of Arthur, died at 7:40 PM, Wednesday, June 26, 2013 at Mason Point, Sullivan.

Private graveside services will be held at 11:00 AM Monday, July 1, 2013 at the Arthur Cemetery with Rev. Leroy Allison officiating. Military Rites will be accorded.
Shrader Funeral Home, Arthur, IL is handling the arrangements.

Royal was born October 7, 1920 in Arthur, the son of Orville and Alta Stillens Beals. He married Harriet Lloyd in Decatur on November 20, 1941.

Survivors include his wife Harriet Beals of Arthur; daughter, Jane Beals of Arthur; 2 grandchildren, Stephanie Sentel of Taylorville; and Steven (Abrian) Blagg-Sentel of Clinton. He was preceded in death by his son.

Royal graduated from Arthur High School class of 1938 and attended Eastern Illinois University. He retired from Surgical Appliance Industry, Inc. in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he was a sales rep and instructor in educational programs for AOPA and NARD on orthotics and prosthetics. He then lectured on these subjects at 12 different colleges and universities as part of continuous education programs.

Royal served in the United State Navy during World War II and received the Presidential Unit Citation Award for his heroism during battle.

Royal was a member of the Arthur United Methodist Church. He served on the Arthur Village Board for two and one half terms, one term as president; was past president of the Arthur Association of Commerce; was past Commander of Arthur American Legion Post #479; was a member of the Douglas County Veterans Assistance Commission since 1986; was a 50-year and life member of the Arthur Masonic Lodge, Springfield Consistory, Ansar Shrine of Springfield; member of the VFW; and 50-year and life member of the American Legion.

Memorials are suggested to the Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children, 2001 S. Lindberg Blvd, St. Louis, Missouri 63131.

Online condolences to the family may be sent to www.hilligossshraderfh.com