Bennie Beale, loving husband, daddy, father-in-law, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend to many, passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 7, 2021 at Schulenburg Regency Nursing Center at the age of 93. Bennie was born on November 17, 1927 in Colony, TX to Harry Ambrose and Alma Helmcamp Beale.
After school, Bennie joined the Army and was proud of his enlistment from February 15, 1946 to September 13, 1947. Upon returning home he moved to San Antonio, TX 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 October 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, TX, Cynthia (Allan) Stryk and Denise Greive of Praha, TX.
Also surviving him are his pride and joy grandchildren Melissa (Eliot) Towb of Austin, TX; Corey (Renee) Hall of Taylor, TX; Amber (Matthew) Skillern of Houston, TX; Joseph (Iana) Greive and John Greive of Bryan, TX; Wade (Brenda) Friedrich of Flatonia, TX and Kay Lynn (Toby) Rothbauer of Moulton, TX.
Precious great-grandchildren Brooke and Tiffany Friedrich of Flatonia, TX; Gwendolyn and Samuel Skillern of Houston, TX; Courtney and Blake Hall of Taylor, TX; Easton Rothbauer of Moulton, TX; and Elizabeth and Emily Greive of Bryan, TX 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 will be held on Friday, November 12, 2021 at Smith Funeral Home in Flatonia. Services are Saturday, November 13, 2021 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Rosary beginning at 9:30 a.m., led by Joseph Gajdos, followed by Mass at 10:00 a.m., officiated by Father Eddie Winkler. Lector will be Kathy Seale with music provided by Divine Testament. Burial will be in the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery with the Flatonia American Legion Honor Guard in attendance.
Pallbearers are Allan Stryk, Corey Hall, Joseph Greive, Wade Friedrich, John Greive, Matthew Skillern, Toby Rothbauer and Paul Wayne Beale. Honorary pallbearers are 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 - 128 East 5th Street, Flatonia, Tx 78941 Phone #361-865-3311
