The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
-a weekly feature by Bonnie Johnson - The Quill Staff
Banks and Beals PC
The Banks Funeral Home was started in 1927 in La Harpe by John Banks, Funeral Director. The funeral home was housed in several buildings along main street in La Harpe before purchasing the present building in 1933.
In 1948, Dean Beals came to the area and began working in the Martin Funeral Home in Dallas City and Mellor Funeral Home in Stronghurst. He met his wife Patsy Banks, while helping with a funeral in La Harpe. Patsy and Dean were married in 1950.
The couple moved to Stronghurst and Dean worked for Banks Funeral Home in La Harpe while Patsy worked in the Bank of Stronghurst. Shortly thereafter, Dean became a partner in the Banks Funeral Home and the name was changed to Banks and Beals Funeral Home. John Banks died in 1962, but his name remains today.
In 1977 son Kevin Beals joined his Dad and in 1978, another son Kris Beals joined the group.
Dallas City and Stronghurst Funeral homes were bought by the Beals' and they formed a corporation, naming it Banks and Beals PC. Another brother, Kendall Beals, received his license in 1987 and also works in the business.
Kris explained why he had chosen this profession.
"It was a family business and it is a job that is needed in any community. Embalming is the art and science of sanitizing, disinfecting and restoring a deceased human body for the purpose of viewing at a funeral", said Kris.
Like their father, Kevin, Kris and Kendall perform their duties with the utmost professionalism.
Some of the biggest changes in the business are government regulations, cost of rising insurance, and gas for the vehicles. Also, more people seem to be wanting cremation. The metropolitan areas have seen an increase in cremation rates. However, in the communities Banks & Beals serve, 80 to 90% still prefer traditional earth burial. One of the reasons for this could be that the cost of cemetery expenses, such as burial spaces, grave openings have remained extremely low. For example, Kris said a 10 grave lot in Stronghurst Cemetery can be purchased for $500, where as a single grave in a metropolitan cemetery could be anywhere from $500 to $1,000. Also people are discussing more openly with their families the form of funeral service they want to have and the different beliefs of people.
Since 9-11, he has seen another change in they way they must fly a deceased to a designated destination. The Quad Cities airport and the Peoria airport can no longer be used, he said, but they must drive the deceased either to St. Louis or Chicago. The funeral director must have proper identification, such as driver's license, funeral director's license and a picture ID before they can release the deceased for flight.
"My concern for this community is keeping the businesses in this small town. I feel if we can get the young people to come and live here, that's where our future lies", says Kris.
Kris and his wife Diana live in their home adjacent to the funeral home. They each have three children and one granddaughter.
Funeral Home History
Clarence Mellor owned the Funeral Home, east of the Park in Stronghurst. This home was a huge 2-story house. In 1956, Marlin Fisher and Bruce Ottoman purchased the funeral home from Mr. Mellor.
In 1959, Mr. Ottoman moved away and Mr. Fisher bought out his share. Marlin Fisher sold the funeral home building to Bob Hamilton in 1965 and it was moved east of the highway.
It is now owned by Jeff and Lari Jo Smith. Marlin then built the funeral home building that stands today.
Dick Fiedler purchased the business in 1968 and owned it for ten years.
In 1978 Dean Beals, and sons, Kevin and Kris purchased the business. Banks and Beals PC continue to own the business.
Kris Beals, Funeral Director and part owner of Banks and Beals, P.C.
Banks & Beals Funeral Home as it looks today across from the northeast corner of the Stronghurst Village Park.