Steven L. Beal

July 11, 2020

Steven L. Beal, 46, passed away Saturday, July 11, 2020, at his home in Ladue, Missouri. He is survived by his wife, Erin; children, Rayan and Canaan; mother, Sandra Beal; sister, Susan B. Frangella and her husband Patrick; in-laws, Gary and Stacy Gruenwald; sister-in-law, Corrie Gruenwald; uncles, Pete Beal and wife Marilee, Clyde Beal, Rick Webb and wife Joyce; aunt, Ada Standerfer and husband Jerry; nephews and many cousins. He was preceded in death by his father, Lawrence J. Beal; grandparents, Othello and Blanche Beal, and Leo and Dorothy Webb; and uncles, Ronald, Cliff, and Leroy Beal. Steven's life was centered around his family. He loved to hike, fish at a family pond with his wife and children, build complex Lego projects with Rayan, and play Pac-Man with Canaan. Steven was the CEO of Mt. Vernon, Illinois-based National Railway Equipment Corp., and was a lifelong "railroad man." He had been in the industry since the age of 12, constantly learning the business from his father, Lawrence, who founded NRE in 1984. When Lawrence passed away in 2010, Steven was well prepared to assume leadership of the company. He was well known, and highly respected in the railroad industry. Steven was also the owner of RARE Chop House, in Mt. Vernon. Steven was a kind, loving, genuine man, who served on numerous boards and committees, always wanting to help everyone, and give back to the community. He was loved by many and will be missed by so many people. In light of Covid-19 public health concerns, the family will hold a private, invitation-only service. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to either Camp Independence, a YMCA specialty camp for children and young adults with Spina Bifida at www.ymcachicago.org/independence, or the Little Bit Foundation at www.thelittlebitfoundation.org, which helps underprivileged students in the St. Louis area. Memorials can also be received by mail to the Osborn Funeral Home, P. O. Box 130, Dix, Illinois 62830. Online condolences may be made at www.osbornfuneral.com, or on the Osborn Funeral Home Facebook page.